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Cablevision Launches a WiFi Network
Cablevision plans the Launch of a WiFi Network in its core markets.
Cable giant Cablevision plans the launch of a $300 million dollar WiFi network in its core markets of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The company has already spent $20 million between May and June of this year adding WiFi Network capability. Plans are to fixture the company's entire service footprint initially with Internet service and later to deliver voice, video and data products to customers.
Cablevision's key areas include parts of Long Island and Westchester. So why Wi-Fi; and why now? Well, Cablevision as most cable companies these days likely feels some pressure from its chief rival Verizon which is busily rolling out its FIOS fiber optic service which also can deliver video services. And this is likely a direct response to Verizon competition.
Cablevision likely hopes that this service can cut into Verizon wireless services which are among Verizon's most profitable products. There are other existing Wi-Fi deployment plans going on in Cablevision's area. In Suffolk county for example a Florida company named E-Path has been planning to deploy a free wireless network for the county. But that project has been slowed by unproductive contract talks over pole access with the Long Island Power Authority.
Could this be a great service and really leverage Cablevision? Absolutely, but using Wi-Fi for a project of this scale seems a bit problematic to me. That doesn't mean it can't work of course.
Tim Sanders
www.TheFinalMile.net
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