Six weeks ago, through our various connections amongst the seedy filth of the tech underworld, Bitterwallet broke the news that Starbucks was launching free wi-fi for customers. It’s taken the corporate coffee moguls since then to learn how to type, and so only today the official press release was officially released to the press. O frabjous day! Customers have to register a Starbucks Card to access the wi-fi; the cards are free – all you have to do is credit them with a minimum amount of £5 to spend on your cawfee, then register the card online. In line with outlets in the US and Canada, cardholders get up to two hours of free access per day.

So where can you flex your wi-fitacular muscle? According to the Starbucks website, you have the choice of just four locations – two in London, one in Dublin and of course, Ipswich. Oh. It seems nobody bothered to check the website on the day of the big announcement – they’re were probably too busy with the typing lessons. A quick call to Starbucks and we’re told their website is currently “broken… well, they’re taking a look at it – it’s not right, is it?” In fact you can enjoy free wi-fi in over 500 branches – another great reason to chug down that sweet, sweet corporate coffee.

Good news for you today, especially if you suffer from the dual addictions of internet access and corporate coffee. Here’s a handy hack that lets you enjoy free wi-fi access at any branch of Starbucks, although it hasn’t been officially announced so keep it between us, right?

Bitterwallet reader James has told us about a new Starbucks Card that one store in London mistakenly handed out to several customers, that includes free wi-fi as one of the perks. This brings the UK into line with Starbucks in the US and Canada, where cardholders get up to two hours of free wi-fi access per day.

Starbucks have made no official announcement of this new card yet, and there’s no mention of it amongst on their website, but as James’ photo proves it’s on the way:

Starbucks cards are free – all you have to do is credit them with a minimum amount of £5 to spend on your cawfee, then register the card online. For the completists amongst you, you’ll find the terms and conditions here. No word on whether existing cardholders need a new card for qualify for the free wi-fi, but no doubt you’ll find out soon enough, you caffeine-guzzling beast of a corporate whore.