Giving new meaning to the phrase convenience store, The Southland Corp has decided to test internet stations in eight of its Seattle-area 7-Eleven franchises. With the swipe of credit card, customers can access e-mail, the web and online services via a terminal with an ISDN connection – in addition to a burrito and a Big Gulp, of course. The service is being offered in conjunction with US West Communications Inc and will cost $0.35 per minute, or $2.95 for 10 minutes. The deal comes about as an extension of the existing partnership between US West and 7-Eleven, the largest retail site provider for pay phones. If the trials go well in Seattle, stores throughout the country could be similarly wired soon.
