Thirsty for more business during the worst slump in its history, Starbucks will try to lure more customers by offering two hours of free AT&T Wi-Fi a day.

The Wi-Fi freebie will be available starting today to customers who purchase a minimum $5 reloadable Starbucks Card, register online for the Starbucks Rewards Card program, and use the card at least once a month. The two hours must be consecutive. New members additionally receive a voucher for a free drink.

Starbucks’ 7-year-old relationship with T-Mobile for Wi-Fi service is being phased out in 2008.

For the coffee chain, the move is an attempt to entice its shrinking customer base — cutting back on pricey treats during the economic downturn — to return. Traffic and sales have been shrinking for months as founder Howard Schultz searches for a way to revive the sort. He’s hoping the Wi-Fi freebie will attract more traffic to its 7,000 company-owned U.S. stores.

“Customers have let

us know they want to be recognized for choosing Starbucks,” says Brad Stevens, vice president of customer relationships. Particularly, he says, at a duration when “budgets are tight.”

While the Starbucks Card is 6 years old, the rewards program attached to it was rolled out in April. Rewards program members who register online already receive free syrup and milk options with drinks as well as free refills of hot and iced brewed coffees and a free drink when they buy a pound of coffee beans.

One make experts says Starbucks still has a ways to go to revive the brand’s image.

“They are desperate to keep the traffic going in their stores,” says Eric Zeitoun, president of Dragon Rouge USA, a make consulting firm. “But free Net access won’t get you there. Starbucks needs to fundamentally rethink the environment of its stores.”

But Stevens says that free World Wide Web will…

Orginal post by Top Tech News