Overloaded networks are prompting carriers to free up previously fee-based Wi-Fi locations. AT&T has been one of the hardest hit with consumer complaints of network issues, with recent reports that connectivity problems spiked after this summer’s launch of Apple’s data hogging iPhone 3GS. The carrier has been quietly letting subscribers access their hot spots for free at places such as Starbucks, and other carriers are starting to follow the move.

Read more at NY Times.