Comcast Tests Free Wireless Internet

Comcast Corp is currently testing the Wi-Fi waters in parts of New Jersey, offering its cable subscribers free wireless Internet.

As reported by the Associate Press, Comcast's main competitor, Cablevision Systems Corp., has already claimed a stake in the free wireless market by offering the service on Long Island, Connecticut and Westchester, set to go full throttle in early 2010. However, sources inside Comcast said that both companies have agreed on a collaboration that allows subscribers of each service to access their cable operator's Wi-Fi in the rival's market. The example used in the AP article described a Comcast customer, able to access the Comcast Wi-Fi service in Cablevision territory via hotspots and their login information. In other words, it's something similar to mobile phone free roaming: users aren't charged for making calls via a competitor's cellular tower.

A Comcast representative said that the Wi-Fi speeds are around 1.5 Mbps, equal to some current DSL home account speeds. And while the trial is still in its early stages, Comcast hopes to unleash the free Wi-Fi service nationwide, "accessed by laptops and other Wi-Fi devices." Comcast said that the new Wi-Fi joint endeavor with Cablevision was separate from its mobile wireless joint venture with Clearwire Corp. and other companies utilizing the WiMax technology. But because it did not get involved with the Clearwire deal, Cablevision instead opted to work with Comcast and the free Wi-Fi collaboration.

Recently cable companies have considered and even put into place technologies and plans to use wireless in all services, from video to phone to Internet, in an effort to keep customers from switching over to mobile and land-line-based services. Cable-based speeds are also on the rise, with Comcast scheduled to introduce a 50 Mbps plan within the next few months and Charter Communications' 60 Mbps service, the $139.99 per month Ultra60, now under heavy testing within the St. Louis metropolitan area.