As an exploding number of devices have become Internet-enabled, wireless connectivity has become even more critical to people’s lives and to the future of innovation.
WiFi is part of our broader strategy to create a foundation our customers need to power their Internet-connected devices and experiences. By offering the fastest WiFi speeds in the home with the latest Xfinity apps, home control technology and other Internet-enabled services, we are giving customers new, simple and convenient ways to take advantage of the speed delivered on the broadband network we have invested tens of billions of dollars to create.
Today, we announced plans to roll out a new neighborhood hotspot initiative that could create millions of additional WiFi access points for our Xfinity Internet customers. The network is made possible by using our new in-home wireless gateways, which broadcasts a second "xfinitywifi" signal (or SSID) that is completely separate and distinct from the family’s own private and secure WiFi signal. This means, when friends and relatives, who are also Xfinity Internet customers, visit the home and want to use WiFi, they can log-on to the "xfinitywifi" network instead of having to access a customer’s private in-home network. And if a visitor is not an Xfinity Internet customer, then they can enjoy two, free one-hour sessions per month. This is a real, value-added benefit for our customers that will differentiate our service from the competition.
In addition, we’re launching thousands of additional Xfinity WiFi hotspots in high-traffic areas in Washington, D.C.today and an expansion of the growing CableWiFi network, which has tripled in size since first announced at NCTA last year. CableWiFi now offers more than 150,000 hotspots in high-traffic areas like train platforms, shopping districts, parks and small businesses (like restaurants or doctor’s offices), to more than two dozen major cities across the nation. It enables high-speed Internet customers from one company to access hotspots operated by the other participating service providers, for free.
We’re also trying to make it easy to access our hotspots. Xfinity Internet customers and non-customers should look for "xfinitywifi" on their wireless device and follow the prompts to begin their WiFi session. The Xfinity WiFi app or this map www.xfinity.com/wifi make it easy to find the nearest hotspot.
WiFi is a great example of how we continue to make more wireless access points available to our customers both inside their homes and on the go. WiFi technology, coupled with our agreement with Verizon Wireless, are two significant ways we deliver the best in-and out-of-home communications experience for our customers. The powerful combination of our broadband Internet service and growing WiFi network also enables us to create a new platform to invent new technologies like Xfinity Home that can take advantage of these fast speeds.