Broadband customers of the 'CableWi’ alliance might get free access to a new Wi-Fi network Cablevision Systems is building for NJ Transit trains and stations.
Cablevision is “in discussions with other operators but have nothing to announce at this time,” a Cablevision spokeswoman said via email.
If those discussions yield a positive result, it could pave the way for authenticated cable modem customers of Comcast, Cox Communications, Bright House Networks and Time Warner Cable to gain free access to the NJ Transit Wi-Fi network. Together, they have deployed more than 150,000 hotspots, led by Cablevision's deployment of more than 80,000.
Under a 20-year pact announced Wednesday, Cablevision will front the capital costs of building out the NJ Transit Wi-Fi network. Cablevision isn’t discussing those anticipated costs, but the MSO confirmed that access will be free to Optimum subscribers and offered for “reasonable fee" to non-subs.
The Wi-Fi deployment will happen in phases, with “major stations” such as Newark Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal getting Wi-Fi first. The Wi-Fi project is expected to be “substantially complete” by the end of 2016.
