Futurize Korea

Google Korea continues to seek inroads into the Korean market and they’ve found a highly visible new venue by providing free WiFi service to Starbucks customers.

Using Korea Telecom’s Nespot service that was already available in Korean Starbucks locations, Google will now foot the bill to provide Koreans with free WiFi access while also driving traffic to their iGoogle service.

While they provide a bilingual pamphlet in Korean and English explaining the service, the initial start page is all in Korean. And while the service also requires a resident registration number the login form doesn’t properly handle non-Korean names which will prevent you from logging in even if you have a Korean Alien Registration Number.

After logging into the service, you get redirected to the iGoogle homepage. And if you don't uncheck a box below the "Free Internet Usage" button you'll be asked if you want to make iGoogle the new default homepage for your browser.

Google Korea blog announcement (Korean)

The Korea Times: German Networking Company Launches `Wireless Free Zone’ (March 2, 2008)

The Korea Times: IT Services for Happier Chuseok Holidays (September 17, 2007): A prior free WiFi promotion at Starbucks.

Here’s a capture of the start page:
 

Excerpt from the Google/Starbucks WiFi pamphlet:

Enjoy free WiFi service provided by Google

Google is now providing a free WiFi service to all Starbucks customers in Korea. Anyone who has a WiFi-enabled laptop will now have access to the free wireless internet service. You can surf the web for information, check emails, catch up with friends and family, and upload videos and photos online. All this while enjoying a tasty Starbucks drinks!

As Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful, we want to make your online experience as easy, fast and convenient as possible.

Free WiFi service provided by Google, it's easy to use

How to the use free wireless internet

1. Find and connect to the 'NESPOT' which should be listed under available WiFi providers

2. Open a web browser and you should automatically see a Google's start page

3. Click the "Free Internet Usage" button on the Google's start page

4. Complete the KT's Real Name Verification process

* You need to have a Korean Alien Registration number in order to access this service

5. Enjoy the internet with iGoogle, your personalized homepage!

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