Countering the Sprint-Clearwire announcement deal that involves cable operators Time Warner, Comcast and Brighthouse Networks, Cablevision announced plans to spend more than $300 million to roll out WiFi in New York and Long Island during the next two years. Cablevision is looking for ways to compete with Verizon for control of one of the largest markets in the U.S., the company said as it released first quarter earnings last week. Cablevision COO Tom Rutledge told analysts that more than half the homes in its coverage area subscribe to its Internet service, which gives the company enough "critical mass" to offer a wireless broadband service. The service provider said the network could make use of its existing infrastructure but would cost the company a hefty $100 per subscriber.
For more about Cablevision's WiFi plans:
- read this article from the New York Times