Exclusive Deal While supplies last, save 40% off over 40 iPhone 5 and iPhone 4/4S cases and chargers as well as Samsung S III cases at Kensington.com. Use coupon code 'SAVE40%' at checkout to receive this exclusive discount.      

Comcast testing free Wi-Fi access for subscribers

updated 05:15 pm EST, Fri January 30, 2009

 

Comcast hotspot tests


Internet provider Comcast is performing Wi-Fi hot spot trials near NJ Transit rail stations in the state to grant subscribers access to the Internet on their mobile devices, according to a Friday DSLReports post. The service in these Wi-Fi Hot Zones requires subscribers to sign in using their existing Comcast.net usernames and passwords. The company has confirmed the trials, saying it is gauging user interest and may offer it as an added-value service to its high-speed Internet customers.

The NJ tests are a limited trial, and the company is collaborating with Cablevision on the experiment. Cablevision recently launched its Optimum Wi-Fi service, which Comcast studied closely. The two companies worked together on the technical tests but made it clear that the services in New Jersey will remain separate, though some infrastructure may be shared. Comcast customers will not be able to access Optimum's Wi-Fi Hot Zones, or vice versa, however.

No other specifics about when or if Comcast will launch its hot-spot service have been released, though the trial is reportedly running until December. The scope and length of the trial indicate Comcast may be readying itself for a much larger hot-spot service.

Cablevision's hotspots are thus far offered in Long Island, Westchester and Dutchess counties in New York as well as some busy areas of Connecticut. It will provide users with 1.5Mbps symmetrical speeds.


By Electronista Staff

Post tools:

TAGS :  

industry, networking, Comcast, CableVision
toggle

Previous Comments

  1. testudo

    Forum Regular

    Joined: Aug 2001

    +3

    free

    It will be 'comcast free'. In other words, it'll cost $5 a month for free wifi usage.


  1. txcrude

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2009

    +3

    AT&T U-Verse offers free

    AT&T U-Verse already offers free WiFi access at over 10,000 hotspots nationwide including Starbucks locations.


  1. MadMacz

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 2008

    +2

    AT%T U-Verse

    That's great for those of you who want their DSL service. I prefer my cable. One would also think AT&T would offer the WiFi products to those of us who use their cell service.


  1. syzygi

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2008

    +3

    Great?!

    Now Comcast can give me crappy service while I'm away from home too. Just what I always wanted. Jezzz!


Login Here

Not a member of the MacNN forums? Register now for free.

 
close
Photo
toggle

Network Headlines

toggle

Most Popular

Sponsor

Recent Reviews

MaxUpgrades MaxConnect for 2006-2008 Mac Pro

Nobody outside of Cupertino's privileged bunch knows the future of the Mac Pro line for sure. Despite Apple's reluctance to tell us wh ...

Brother HL-3170CDW LED Printer

We've mentioned before that we are far from a paperless society. For now, at least, there are tasks that require a piece of paper for ...

HTC One

It is hard to overstate just how critically important the HTC One is to the Taiwanese company’s fortunes. Despite its alarming decline ...

Sponsor

 
toggle

Popular News