After a recent partnership was agreed between Boingo wireless, one of the biggest Wi-Fi hotspot operators, and the US telecommunications Group, Verizon Communications the two companies will be offering free Wi-Fi access to any of their customers that use broadband DSL and FiOS services.
Until now Verizon has steered clear of Wi-Fi broadband services in the fear that it would impact on its highly profitable 3G mobile data network unlike many of the larger provider, although this latest service seem to see Verizon completely changing its mind.
Business customers of Boingo have had free Wi-Fi access for some time now under the terms of an agreement that was made earlier, although now customers of Verizon will also be getting free Wi-Fi access, which will be a first.
Following the signing of the “master agreement” Verizon has advised that it may be extending its service to as many as 80 million customers who use Verizon Wireless, although for the moment only broadband DSL users and FiOS users will be able to take advantage of the free Wi-Fi service.
CableVision, the cable TV company and AT&T are aggressively embracing Wi-Fi, although this latest move will see Verizon able to counter any of the moves made by its bigger competitors.
The acquisition of Wayport, which is a Wi-Fi service provider that directly competes with Boingo, has enable AT&T to increase the range of its Wi-Fi services to locations beyond Starbucks.
Complimentary Wi-Fi services are currently being offered to Cablevisions customers as it fights a huge battle for new customers in a large part of New York that is currently serviced by Verizon.
The expansion of its bundling strategy in which it offers consumers ‘quad Play’ video, wireless voice and internet wired services, would seem to be an indication of Verizon’s choice to offer Wireless broadband for free to a signification number of its customers.
Source – www.ft.com