Partners no more

Beginning this spring, wi-fi in Starbucks' 7,000 outlets nationwide will change hands from T-Mobile Hotspot to AT&T Broadband.

Those that pay for drinks with prepaid Starbucks gift cards will be eligible for two hours of complementary wi-fi service at a Starbucks location. Subscribers of AT&T Broadband or U-Verse will get unlimited wi-fi access.

Other customers can purchase a two-hour session for $3.99. A monthly membership fetches $19.99.

In contrast, T-Mobile Hotspot pricing started at $9.99 per day and ranged between $19.99 and $39.99 per month.

AT&T is the dedicated carrier network for Apple's iPhone. Late last year, Starbucks agreed to provide free wi-fi to Apple's iTunes.