Starbucks will completely replace its routers with Google partners as it moves away from AT&T to Google WiFi across the US.

Sarah Thomas, Director, Women in Comms

August 27, 2013

2 Min Read
Google, Starbucks Start AT&T Router Swap

Along with $11,000 Clover coffee machines, Starbucks is swapping out all its old routers as part of its deal to switch from AT&T's WiFi to Google.

Starbucks announced earlier this month that it would be ending its five-year relationship with AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) to bring in WiFi service from Google (Nasdaq: GOOG). Spokespeople for the coffeehouse and software giant confirm to Light Reading that they will be installing new routers to replace all the old as they roll out "the faster WiFi with Google." (See Is Google the New WiFi of Coffee Snobs?)

"However, like with many of our vendor agreements, we are not disclosing the router vendor," Starbuck's spokeswoman adds, echoing Google's sentiments.

The companies also haven't said whether the new WiFi routers will include the zippier 802.11ac connectivity, capable of supporting speeds up to 1 Gbit/s.

AT&T has more than 32,000 WiFi hotspots deployed across the US, and it works with a number of router vendors on the deployments. Losing Starbucks as a customer knocks off 7,000 of those, but it's also a blow to its router partners.

While Google wouldn't reveal its router partners, it is worth noting that, as of March 31, the software giant was a 5 percent shareholder in Ruckus Wireless Inc. via its acquisition of Motorola. Google closed on the sale of Motorola Home, which includes its cable TV and Internet devices, to Arris Group Inc. (Nasdaq: ARRS) in April, so it's unclear whether Google is still holding on to any stake in the WiFi vendor. If it is, that could have some influence on its choices. (See Arris Secures Motorola Home.)

Curious minds will be able to find out soon enough. Google and Starbucks are beginning their upgrade this month and expect the router overhaul to take 18 months to reach 7,000 of its locations across the US.

— Sarah Reedy, Senior Editor, Light Reading

About the Author(s)

Sarah Thomas

Director, Women in Comms

Sarah Thomas's love affair with communications began in 2003 when she bought her first cellphone, a pink RAZR, which she duly "bedazzled" with the help of superglue and her dad.

She joined the editorial staff at Light Reading in 2010 and has been covering mobile technologies ever since. Sarah got her start covering telecom in 2007 at Telephony, later Connected Planet, may it rest in peace. Her non-telecom work experience includes a brief foray into public relations at Fleishman-Hillard (her cussin' upset the clients) and a hodge-podge of internships, including spells at Ingram's (Kansas City's business magazine), American Spa magazine (where she was Chief Hot-Tub Correspondent), and the tweens' quiz bible, QuizFest, in NYC.

As Editorial Operations Director, a role she took on in January 2015, Sarah is responsible for the day-to-day management of the non-news content elements on Light Reading.

Sarah received her Bachelor's in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She lives in Chicago with her 3DTV, her iPad and a drawer full of smartphone cords.

Away from the world of telecom journalism, Sarah likes to dabble in monster truck racing, becoming part of Team Bigfoot in 2009.

Subscribe and receive the latest news from the industry.
Join 62,000+ members. Yes it's completely free.

You May Also Like