Comcast confirmed it is in the midst of a technical trial in approximately 100 commuter rail stations in New Jersey to provide free wireless access to the operator's cable modem customers. Comcast customers can access WiFi using laptops and other WiFi-enabled devices by choosing the Comcast WiFi option and logging in using the same user names and passwords they use for their cable modems in the home.
Comcast admitted it took a page from Cablevision, which is spending 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. Comcast said the trial is strictly a technical trial and are separate from its involvement in WiMAX with Clearwire. The MSO wants to see if WiFi will serve as an effective value-add for its existing customers.
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