Time Warner Copies Verizon With Free Hotspots For Customers

from the took-'em-long-enough dept

Ever since Verizon first announced their plan to offer free WiFi to DSL customers in Manhattan, we've been wondering why no other broadband service provider followed suit. It seemed like a no-brainer. It's adding an additional service that is likely to hold down churn rates for the service provider. In fact, Verizon has already said that it's helped reduce churn. The big issue, of course, was getting enough WiFi coverage to make it worthwhile. Verizon had no problem, since they just turned a bunch of (increasingly useless) pay phones into WiFi access points. However, it appears that the other broadband providers are beginning to realize this isn't such a bad idea. Time Warner cable is launching a similar "Road Runner Speed Zones" program in Dallas. Access is free if you have a Road Runner account, but costs money if you don't.