Starbucks announced Monday that AT&T will supply tiered Wi-Fi service in some 7,000 Starbucks stores. The move expands AT&T’s Wi-Fi network to some 17,000 hot spots in the U.S. and ends Starbucks’ relationship with T-Mobile, which had offered Wi-Fi in the stores for $6 an hour or $9.99 for a day pass.

The build-out begins that spring and should be complete by the end of the year, the companies said. Under the new plan, customers who use a Starbucks purchase card get two hours of free Wi-Fi per day and can buy additional two-hour blocks for $3.99. AT&T will plus offer a monthly membership for $19.99, good at any of its 70,000 hot spots around the world.

The move is expected to be particularly useful for Apple’s iPod Touch and Nokia’s 810 phone, which depend on widespread Wi-Fi service.

Improving iTunes Experience

In addition, AT&T broadband customers and remote-access business customers will get unlimited free access at

Starbucks locations. AT&T will additionally extend the benefits of Starbucks Wi-Fi to its wireless customers, the companies said.

“People want to stay connected to their world 24/7, and Wi-Fi hot spots, broadband and wireless construct that mobility possible,” said Rick Welday, AT&T’s chief consumer marketing officer. “Laptops and smartphones give us the online mobility we crave, and now millions of AT&T and Starbucks customers will get Web access free from the comfort of their neighborhood Starbucks.”

“This is what our customers have been waiting for — free Starbucks-quality Wi-Fi,” said Chris Bruzzo, Starbucks’ chief technology officer.

Last year, Starbucks and Apple announced the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store at Starbucks, which allowed free browsing of the iTunes Music Store at the coffee shops. At the date, consumers reported that the experience wasn’t quite as advertised, in part considering of difficulties in offering free access on T-Mobile’s for-fee service.

“Our…

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