Certain AT&T customers already get free Wi-Fi access at the company’s 60,000 wireless hotspots in Starbucks, Borders bookstores and more. Next up: McDonald’s and various hotels!

Today, AT&T announced that it will acquire Wayport Inc., one of the early aggregators of Wi-Fi hotspots. The Austin, Tex., company manages  20,000 Wi-Fi spots around the world.

AT&T will pay $275 million for Wayport. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year.

Wayport hotspots include select Wyndham hotels, Marriott Vacation Club, Four Seasons hotels, HealthSouth and Sun Healthcare locations, plus McDonald’s restaurants.  

AT&T customers that qualify for free Wi-Fi include iPhone and BlackBerry users, LaptopConnect customers and home high-speed Internet and U-verse subscribers. 

More cell phone news:

• Verizon Wireless improves cell coverage in O.C.
• BlackBerry Bold selling out in … one Irvine store
• Google phone stolen in Huntington Beach; a dozen cops start chase
• Sprint eases early termination fees; gets sued
• Boost Mobile to focus on value, drops youth campaign
• Free Wi-Fi for iPhone users is back, really!
• Wal-Mart selling Google phone at a discount
• Boost Mobile adds $1/day texting with caveats
• BlackBerry Bold anyone? AT&T sets sale date
• Google phone customers in line in O.C.

Posted in: Cell phones • Wi-Fi & networking • AT&T Wireless • Free stuff • free Wi-Fi • McDonalds • Wayport • Wi-Fi |

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