What Expanding the WiFi Network Really Means « Time Warner Cable Untangled

May 23 2012

What Expanding the WiFi Network Really Means

Earlier this week, we issued a joint announcement with Bright House Networks, Cablevision, Comcast and Cox Communications stating that in the coming months, we will grant our respective high-speed Internet customers (Standard and higher) access to one another’s WiFi networks.

Here’s what this means: If you’re a Time Warner Cable customer, you’ll be able to log into the “Cable WiFi” networks that you find at public places like malls, parks, beaches, etc – whether you’re in our footprint, Comcast’s, Cox’s, and so forth. Sure, while you’re in our footprint, go ahead and use the TWC WiFi networks. That’s what they’re there for. But when you are outside your home market, feel free to use the “Cable WiFi” network.

This will be launched in New York City and the Tri-State Area, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Tampa and Orlando. But altogether there are 50,000 available hotspots and we plan to expand both access to those hotspots and the number of available hotspots in the near future.

Here’s why this is awesome for me personally:

I blow through a ton of data. This is hardly surprising, considering I’m “the digital guy” in the PR department at a major media/communications company. More and more mobile wireless plans have data caps that come with overage charges. For me, this agreement adds value to my existing cable/broadband subscription by helping me save money off of my wireless bill. If I can hold off on downloading a song, a TV show, or uploading a large photo until I get to a more densely populated area — which is more likely to be a “Cable WiFi” hotspot — I’ll save some money on potential overage charges.

This is never going to completely replace mobile wireless service. There will always be places in the US that don’t have access to WiFi, just as there will always be places that don’t get cell service. Ultimately, I see this reciprocal agreement as a creation of virtual oases. When you’re driving across the country, you’re always going to have to pull off the highway to gas up, use the bathroom, and stretch a little. Now you’re a lot more likely to be able to upload the photos you took and get some more music for the road, faster and better than ever.

Categories: Broadband Penetration/Deployment, Cool Stuff, Customer Care, Future of the Industry, In the Community, What's New, Wireless

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7 Responses to “What Expanding the WiFi Network Really Means”

Jason Schwartz
May 23, 2012
at 5:44 pm

Now if you could find a better way of logging in (so you don’t have to – such as device recognition) it would be perfect! I hate those annoying login pages every time I’m trying to connect.
Jose H.
May 24, 2012
at 8:24 am

Where can we see what wi-fi hotspots are available to us in our respective areas?
Stan
May 24, 2012
at 6:40 pm

If I’m a TWC customer in another part of the country and I visit one of the areas with hotspots, will I be able to use them?
Jeff Simmermon
May 29, 2012
at 10:20 am

Yes, you absolutely will be able to use them!
Stan
May 31, 2012
at 11:18 pm

Jeff, that’s awesome! Thanks!
Francisco Barrera
Jun 01, 2012
at 8:28 am

Connected at a blink of an eye…that is great…any where at any time. fantastic.
Robert Cerbone
Jun 01, 2012
at 9:51 am

@Jason, thanks for the feedback. Upon initial log in to TWCWiFi, your MAC address will be cached allowing you to automatically log into the TWCWiFi network when it is available for the next 60 days. Alternatively, you can download the TWC WiFi Finder, currently available for Apple and Android tablets and smartphones. The WiFi Finder will allow you to enter your username and password once, the application will then automatically sign into TWCWiFi every time the network is available. It will also help you find the nearest hotspots in your area. Links to the apps on the Apple and Google stores can be found at http://www.timewarnercable.com/nynj/learn/apps/

@Jose, we have two ways to find hotspots in your area. The first is via a convenient mobile app, the WiFi Finder (mentioned above). The second is online via our website at the following link:
http://timewarnercable.cellmaps.com/WiFi.html#/#c=40.4570527286106,-74.73130413818352&z=7