Free wireless internet access at McDonalds

MSE_Martin

What's this about?

McDonalds has joined Wetherspoons in offering free wireless internet access in restaurants around the country.
Where can I get it?

At the time of writing, it's available in 310 out of 1,200 restaurats nationwide but should be available in all restaurants by the end of the year (2007).

To find out if your local Maccy D's has free wi-fi use its Restaurant Locator. As it only launched yesterday it may have not have updated yet, so check back if it says you can't get it.

What do I have to buy?

There is no minimum purchase and no time limit but of course it hopes the longer you stay there, the more food and drink you'll buy!

How does this compare?

While other places offer free Wi-Fi too, as it's a national chain with mroe branches than elsewhere, it's a very useful thing to know. Getting Wi-Fi access in places like Starbucks or other coffee chains can cost up to £10 for an hour, so this is a bargain - as food and drink is pretty cheap anyway!

Martin

PS thanks to the posters below for pointing this out.

Rikki

CLICK HERE This was mentioned yesterday.

Might be worth linking this to this discussion.

Note from Martin

Thanks for the link; this post was meant to be merged in with the other, but now its gone in the weekly email that's impossible - so best the discussion stays here.

Babbler

All Varsity bars have been doing this for a while as well! www.varsitybars.com - and the food tastes better! McDonalds are behind the times!

Gorf123

MSE_Martin wrote: »

There is no minimum purchase...

What's to stop you just parking up outside and using their WiFi without paying anything?

MSE_Martin wrote: »

...and no time limit but of course it hopes the longer you stay there, the more food and drink you'll buy!

And here was me thinking the bright lights and uncomfotable seats were designed to get you in and out as quickly as possible.

SiBak

Up until now they used the BT token system, not very popular

This is excellent news, how about the knock on benifits? free phone calls with some of the Skype wifi phones?

Phone #1

Phone #2

Drive to the nearest Drive through and call your friends in Australia.

culpepper

some mobile phones can use 'fring' to access skype .I have it installed on my phone although as yet I havent found a free wifi hotspot to try it out on....
http://www.fring.com/about/what_is/ will definitely try it at mcD's when they eventually install the free internet in our area.

Babbler

Starts in December.

superscaper

"Would you like wi-Fries with that?"

MercilessKiller

hang your head in shame.. that was just awful

superscaper

MercilessKiller wrote: »

hang your head in shame.. that was just awful

Actually my next post was going to be "why isn't there a nominate worst joke of the month?"

I am already hanging my head in shame.

Ignatius_A

Gorf123 wrote: »

What's to stop you just parking up outside and using their WiFi without paying anything?




And here was me thinking the bright lights and uncomfotable seats were designed to get you in and out as quickly as possible.

Actually I think you might find that, as this service is offered to customers, simply using it from the car park without buying anything may well be classed as theft of service.

Of course it's unlikely they'd want the publicity of trying to prosecute you - but don't be so cheap. Don't McDonalds do free refills on coffee?