Starbucks Digital Network Launches

Starting July 1, 2010, Starbucks is enabling free Wi-Fi at its U.S. company operated stores, and launching the Starbucks Digital Network, which will offer unique content, including unrestricted access to paid sites such as the the Wall Street Journal, as well as content from iTunes, The New York Times, Patch, USA TODAY, The Wall Street Journal, Yahoo! and Zagat.
    
Set to debut in the fall, and offered at U.S. company-operated Starbucks stores, Starbucks Digital Network will allow customers free unrestricted access to various paid sites and services including previews, free downloads, local community news and activities.

Developed in partnership with Yahoo! and using AT&T access, the new network aims to create a unique customer experience that also deepens customer engagement.  The new plan further illustrates the public Wi-Fi business model, which frequently "gives away" the access as an inducement to support some other business model.