AT&T introduces Wi-Fi services

AT&T's agreement with Wayport may indicate a shift in the carrier's wireless data services strategy, which revolved around next-generation or "3G" networks. Although Wi-Fi radio signals travel about 300 feet from their antennas, the technology offers faster connection speeds at a drastically lower cost.

Carriers are attracted to Wi-Fi because the spectrum it occupies is unregulated, meaning lower cost to release new services and products, since there are less fees and government taxes to be paid.

AT&T's customers will have to pay for Wi-Fi access regardless of whether they already subscribe the company's wireless data services. The price for Wi-Fi services will range from $69.99 for unlimited monthly access to $9.99 for unlimited connections at a single location for a 24-hour period.