Comcast tests public WiFi

Comcast, the cable and high-speed internet provider, is test marketing a public wifi program which allows subscribers to access the internet while away from their homes.

According to sources within Comcast, the cable giant has been studying Cablevision’s free Wi-Fi operations with great interest, and today launched a technical trial offering Wi-Fi service near NJ Transit commuter rail stations throughout the New Jersey region. According to the source, users are required to sign into the service by entering their Comcast.net usernames and passwords before they are allowed to access the Internet via the Wi-Fi Hot Zones.

Since this is a preliminary trial, there is no information on any expansion in NJ or other states, or if the service could be available to non-subscribers. Of course, certain cities have started their own initiatives to have wireless signals available everywhere—can a system exist where several companies are offering competing public wifi? Would the signals and equipment end up interfering with each other, or could they find a way to cooperate, like cell phone companies must?

Read [DSL Reports] Via [Electronista]