Time Warner Cable is kicking in $2 million to launch TWC WiFi in Charlotte, N.C., in preparation for the Democratic National Convention that will be held there later this month.
Time Warner told our sister publication FierceCable that Ruckus Wireless is supplying the access points for the new Wi-Fi connection that will power TWC WiFi in Charlotte. In May, Ruckus announced a contract to supply its 802.11n Smart Wi-Fi equipment to Time Warner for deployment within high-capacity indoor public venues, such as stadiums, as well as in select outdoor venues, where Time Warner wants to make its branded services available.
Along with adding wireless connectivity in Charlotte, Time Warner is deploying redundant fiber-optic network feeds to Time Warner Cable Arena and Bank of America Stadium and additional fiber-optic network feeds to several uptown Charlotte hotels and venues. It is also upgrading Time Warner Cable Arena video services to an all-digital platform. Including TWC WiFi, the total investment being made to the uptown Charlotte network infrastructure tops $2 million.
For a limited period, Time Warner Cable is opening its network and making Wi-Fi hotspot service available to all residents, businesses and visitors in Charlotte during the Democratic National Convention. Wi-Fi access will be available for free in uptown Charlotte and inside Time Warner Cable Arena from Aug. 27 through Sept. 7, 2012.
Outside of the special convention offer, TWC WiFi is accessible for free to Time Warner Cable customers who subscribe to its standard broadband package or higher Internet service and to all Time Warner Cable Business Class Internet customers. Guests can also access TWC WiFi through pay-as-you-go options, starting with a TWC Access Pass for $2.95 for one hour.
Time Warner also offers TWC WiFi service in New York City, Southern Connecticut, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
In May, Time Warner joined with Comcast, Cablevision, Cox Communications and Bright House Networks to announce CableWiFi, a planned nationwide Wi-Fi roaming network that gives customers free access to Wi-Fi hotspots that the companies collectively own. That branding effort has not yet launched commercially .
For more:
- see this Time Warner release
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