Wisconsin McDonald’s Go Wireless

Would you like some fries with your Internet connection?

MADISON, WI - McDonald’s restaurants recently began installing wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) Internet connections in five Milwaukee locations as part of a six-month pilot program. These Milwaukee locations join select McDonald's restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area, Metropolitan New York City, Greater Chicagoland, and Canada offering the new McDonald's Wireless Internet service.

Customers can purchase an hour of McD Wireless Wi-Fi for $4.95 or an all-day connection for $7.95 at Milwaukee locations. Through September 28, they may also receive a coupon for a free hour of Wi-Fi when they purchase an extra value meal or premium salad.

Wisconsin locations include: Brookfield (300 N Moorland), Hales Corners (6000 S 108th Street), Menomonee Falls (N83 W15515 Appleton Ave), Milwaukee (617 W. Oklahoma), and Waukesha (1425 S West Ave).

McDonald's Corporation said it is providing Wi-Fi technology to improve its level of customer service, adding another innovative and valuable item to its menu. “A lot of customers are interested in this technology,” said Andy Whelan, manager of the Moorland McDonald’s location. “People come in during lunch and with the digital connection they will be able to get a lot of work done.”

A customer will need a Wi-Fi-enabled notebook computer or handheld device using the 802.11b standard and a web browser to use the service. Many of the new laptops and handhelds come with integrated Wi-Fi capabilities; however, the capability can also be added as a retrofit to most equipment with the installation of a Wi-Fi network card.

Customer credentials will be secured with 128-bit SSL (https) web pages which is the industry-standard security level for all e-commerce. In this manner, all information is encrypted from the customer's computer all the way back to the secure web servers at the technology provider's headquarters.

All participating restaurants will be clearly identified with a @M signage – the Golden Arches logo inside of the ‘@’ symbol.

__________________
Troy Janisch and Jamie Hofmeister are regular contributers to the Wisconsin Technology Network.