McDonald's has got Wi-Fi for you

According to WebUser.co.uk, we will be able to surf the web for free while enjoying our meals in all McDonald's restaurants in the UK. Is this services also offered in the states as well? Is WiFi becoming a necessity that we don't pay for as we take it for granted like tap water, light and tissues? Or is MacDonald's trying to change its image from a fast-food restaurant to a "fast-cafe"?

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McDonald's has got Wi-Fi for you
October 6, 2007
Web User

Next week you'll be able to surf the web while you eat your Big Mac in all McDonald's restaurants in the UK.

The popular chain is launching free Wi-Fi access in every branch in the UK from 8 October and it is hoping to attract workers who aren't able to use the internet at work.

"The internet is an important part of our daily lives but it is becoming much harder for people to get online for personal use at work, with many companies restricting access and some banning it altogether," said Amanda Pierce of McDonald's UK, comments:

"With the launch of free Wi-Fi access in McDonald's restaurants from Monday, we can provide the ultimate work break for UK employees to conveniently access the worldwide web. From the comfort of our restaurants, Brits will be able to come out of hiding and surf freely, for free."

Research cited by McDonald's suggests that one in four workers in the UK knows someone, or has themselves been disciplined for using the internet at work.

The offering has been praised by some industry-watchers, though free Wi-Fi is not as uncommon as it used to be.

"Free Wi-Fi is less exciting today than it would have been a couple of years ago, because the public mobile network operators have got much further in rolling out their HSDPA networks. HSDPA is now widely available, with data rates comparable to Wi-Fi," said Jeremy Green of market analysts Ovum.