CNET: AT&T offers free Wi-Fi in New York

That sounds so wonderful; getting something for free, but it always makes me very suspicious. Somewhere, somehow, there is always a price tag attached to it.

Usually, they get people so hooked on something, they feel/think they can't or don't want to live without it anymore. An example:

'Would you like free coffee all day long'?
'Sure'!
'Use our service and drink all you want'.
'Wow, thanks'!
30 days later:
'Okay, trial period is over. If you like all the coffee you can handle, then you have to pay $$$ per month'.
'Huh? I didn't know this was only a free trial offer'.
'You didn't read the super-duper fine print at the bottom'?
'Nope, but I got used to all the free coffee. Now what'?
'Just sign up. It is only $$$ and you can drink all the coffee you want all day, every day'.
'It sure was nice. I don't want to do without that anymore. Yeah, I'll sign up'.

So, now AT&T starts providing free Wi-Fi service to Smartphone customers in New York's Times Square, apparently 'to help alleviate network congestion'. I suspect that is only a justification to real in more customers and I think people will fall for it too; hook, line and sinker!

In case you are wondering why they start in New York; I suspect they took the song "New York, New York" by Frank Sinatra to heart:

If they can make it there; they'll make it anywhere!