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Seven & i Holdings said Wednesday it is to follow its convenience store competitors by offering free wi-fi access from 10,000 stores nationwide.
Seven & i Holdings said on its website that the service will be available at its Seven-Eleven convenience stores, Ito Yokado supermarkets and Denny's restaurants from Dec 1. The free wi-fi service will provide 7-Eleven and Ito-Yokado store information, as well as exclusive downloads such as idol group smartphone wallpaper images and video game content.
A free registration is required to access the service.
The free wi-fi is already being used on a trial basis at around 1,100 stores in Tokyo.
© Japan Today
13 Comments
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Peter Thompson
The Ito Yokado near me has free wifi, but its completely open, which makes it dangerous to use. I just had to select the network and the internet started streaming to my device. No registration was required.
Korlacan Khanthavilay
My guess, you'll fire up your browser and it'll automatically place you on a 7-11 default page. From there, you can surf out.
Anyways, people standing around using free wifi. Is that any different than the current, people standing around reading magazines/manga for free? Course I've seen plenty of 7-11s with tables with parasols outside for people to eat their microwave bentos.
lachatamber
you serious? there are plenty. there's one in Shinjuku between the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and Shinjuku West Exit.
bogva
Yeah, JeffLee - that's exactly what I thought ! Like some airports - you see free WiFi and lose time and effort to get into the network only to see the airports own pages and advertisement for the shops and restaurants.
Hope it's not the case and more really free WiFi is available at various businesses!
JeffLee
"Denny's"? Well, that's a welcome development. However, this part has me concerned:
"The free wi-fi service will provide 7-Eleven and Ito-Yokado store information, as well as exclusive downloads"
Could this mean they will restrict access to sites other than their own? I wonder.
noumen.arete
Hey, it's an extra service for free, at least they show that they care about the customer, besides the modem or router can be configured to limit the range. They can do like starbucks does in many countries, change the router SSID password/code daily and provide it in the sale ticket.
jeff198527
I don't see why this is even newsworthy. People go to stores and restaurants to buy things, not check their e-mail. In my opinion it's contributing to the dumbing down of the world.
Mike Critchley
And only a decade behind the rest of the world. Quite fast for Japan. Nicely done.
Now with 7-11 and Starbucks both offering free wifi, it's no wonder I get constant calls from E-mobile to renew my pocket wifi subscription for another 2 years. These guys must all be pooping their pants knowing that the cash cow is about to be put out to pasture.
Ranger_Miffy2
Well, sounds nice. Won't the stores be clogged with people standing around staring at their screens and iPads, and generally getting in the way? It's not like I have ever seen a 7-11 with a lounge area...
Tel Porter
People will be browsing their email while picking up their purchases, it's handy! Great implementation, a world of wi-fi one little step closer.
Green Panda
This is good service. They will make it up the extra expense of wi-fi implementation, if people actually do not sit in front of one of their stores and actually enter the store to purchase something.
Eautaceux Janais
It's about frickin' time!
nath
Wow, it is about time. So now you can sit in front of one of their stores, and pull out your iPad without 3G and check your mail.
Nice. They are finally catching up to the rest of the world with free wi-fi