CableWifi Alliance Offers Access to More Than 150,000 WiFi Hotspots, Creates Largest WiFi Network in the U.S.

Cablevision, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Bright House Networks continue to expand WiFi availability for their high-speed internet customers.

Cablevision, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Bright House Networks today announced their combined WiFi network has exceeded more than 150,000 hotspots in major cities across the nation. The network, which has tripled in size since first announced last year, enables high-speed Internet customers from one company to access hotspots operated by their and other service providers.  As the largest WiFi network in the country, this is yet another example of cable industry innovation designed to connect consumers and their devices to the very best entertainment, content and information, inside the home and on-the-go.

When traveling outside their home markets, high-speed Internet subscribers of the participating companies can look for the "CableWiFi" network service set identifier (SSID).  Through a simple sign-on process, they can connect to a WiFi access point using the same credentials they use to join their own providers’ WiFi network.  Once they authenticate their device, for added convenience users will be able to have their devices auto-connect to a "CableWiFi" hotspot when they are in range.

High-speed Internet customers can enjoy fast, reliable WiFi connections in major metropolitan areas across the U.S. including: New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Orlando, Tampa, Kansas City and more.  Customers should check their providers’ website for a nationwide coverage map.

"At Cablevision, we see firsthand how much usage and convenience WiFi delivers to our customers, which is why we have long been a proponent of this value-added benefit.  When we partner with other cable operators in this expansion of Cable WiFi, it gives our Optimum Online customers even greater access to wireless Internet service," said Gemma Toner, Cablevision’s Senior Vice President of Broadband Product Management.

"WiFi is a key component of our efforts to deliver Xfinity Internet customers the fastest and most reliable Internet connection, both inside and outside of the home," said Tom Nagel, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Comcast Cable. "With the ubiquity of wireless technology in consumer devices, our customers have the benefit of being able to access the largest WiFi network in the U.S. to connect them to family, friends and the information they need."

"We recognize that an Internet connection wherever you are is a hugely important feature so we’ll continue to bring more WiFi to the places where our customers live, work and play. It’s like taking your home Internet service with you," said Mike Roudi, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development for Time Warner Cable. "We are very encouraged by the growing usage of our WiFi networks and the continued expansion of the Cable WiFi network."

"Cox recognizes that consumers’ lives are greatly enhanced through broadband service," said Kelly Williams, Vice President of Product Strategy and Management at Cox Communications.  "With the growing number of mobile devices, customers want access to reliable high-speed Internet at home and on the go.  Cox is proud to partner with other providers to bring CableWiFi as it provides an even greater value to high-speed Internet customers over the next few months.  Through these WiFi networks, our customers will benefit from having access to WiFi that is complementary to their cellular plans and experience."

"Our customers will enjoy expanded access to WiFi connectivity while on-the-go through this rapidly growing network of Cable WiFi access points located throughout the U.S.," said Leo Cloutier, Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Business Development, Bright House Networks.

The first implementation of "CableWiFi" began in May 2012, and the operators plan to continue to grow the number of WiFi hotspots in the future.  The network has both indoor and outdoor hotspots located in high-traffic locations such as shopping districts, cafés, malls, sports and concert arenas, restaurants, parks and beaches.  Subscribers are able to find the nearest hotspoteither by visiting the WiFi homepage or by downloading their provider’s WiFi Finder app to their mobile device.