AT&T already has a pretty extensive WiFi network after taking over WiFi access at Starbucks from rival T-Mobile. The telecommunications giant wants to be even more ubiquitous with a planned acquisition of Wayport WiFi locations, which would bring AT&T into McDonald’s and hotels. According to CNET, the deal will result in AT&T forking over $275 million in cash. AT&T will have a grand total of 80,000 hotspots globally, 20,000 of which will be in the US.

More recently, AT&T has unleashed its WiFi access to iPhone users. AT&T also announced that the new BlackBerry Bold will be able to have free access to its networks. Hopefully, upcoming Windows Mobile devices will have the same free privileges. The free access is a win-win for the carrier and consumers. Consumers will have access to faster data than even the 3G network that is available to them while the carrier will have reduced strain on its network as a result of switching people over to WiFi.