And Starbucks continues to try other fundamental store
changes. It announced expansion of a high-speed wireless Internet service to about 1,200 Starbucks locations in North America
and Europe. Partners in the project—which Starbucks calls the
world’s largest Wi-Fi network—include Mobile International, a
wireless subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, and Hewlett-Packard.
Customers sit in a store and check e-mail, surf the Web, or download multimedia presentations without looking for connections
or tripping over cords. They start with 24 hours of free wireless
broadband before choosing from a variety of monthly subscription plans.