Company Surpasses A Million Mobile Internet Connections As Optimum Online Customers Take Advantage Of The Convenience Of Free Wireless Web Access That Is Reliable And Faster Than Costly Cell Phone Data Plans
Available Across The Company's Long Island, Connecticut And Westchester/Dutchess Service Areas, As Well As In Portions Of New Jersey, Optimum WiFi Is Attracting Thousands Of New Users Every Week
BETHPAGE, N.Y., April 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cablevision Systems Corp. (NYSE: CVC) today announced that its Optimum Online high-speed Internet customers had already accessed the Web more than one million times over its new Optimum WiFi service, which offers convenient and reliable wireless Internet access - faster than expensive cell phone data plans - that thousands of new users are discovering every week.
The nation's largest and most advanced WiFi network is now available in commercial and high-traffic locations across Cablevision's Long Island, Connecticut and Westchester/Dutchess service areas, in Bergen and Passaic counties in New Jersey, and at hundreds of commuter rail stations across the New York metropolitan area.
"Optimum WiFi is as valuable to consumers and as disruptive to existing wireless data providers as our residential voice product was to traditional landline telephony, and today Cablevision is the majority residential phone provider across much of our market," said Tom Rutledge, Cablevision's chief operating officer. "Unlike wireless data plans, which can cost $100 per month or more and require long-term contracts and the purchase of additional equipment, Optimum WiFi is free to our high-speed Internet customers and faster than cellular data services over 3G networks. We are pleased that our customers have already taken advantage of our service more than one million times, with thousands more discovering the value and convenience of Optimum WiFi every week."
"Cablevision's high-speed Internet customers have clearly embraced Optimum WiFi as their preferred solution for Internet access when away from home," said Berge Ayvazian, chief strategy officer of the Yankee Group. "The success of Optimum WiFi is a direct result of Cablevision's decision to pursue a 'here and now' strategy for providing its customers with fast and reliable mobile Internet access, and to move beyond the deployment of a few hotspots or access points and build a true market-wide network that demonstrates the company's commitment to WiFi."
Optimum WiFi is an important extension of Cablevision's award-winning Optimum Online high-speed Internet service, the most highly-penetrated Internet service in the nation with approximately 2.5 million customers and a broadband market share exceeding 70 percent in the company's service area. By extending the Optimum network wirelessly to commercial and high-traffic locations throughout Cablevision's footprint, Optimum Online customers can stay connected wherever they are at no additional cost. Time spent waiting for a train or sitting on a downtown bench can be used for work or fun online - to check e-mail, download music, watch mobile video, blog, monitor RSS feeds, get directions or post updates to Twitter or Facebook.
Detailed information on Optimum WiFi and interactive network coverage maps are available at http://www.optimumwifi.com. Cablevision began activating Optimum WiFi last year and expects to complete the deployment across its entire service area in early 2010.
Optimum Online customers using laptop computers and portable WiFi-enabled devices like the iPhone, iPod touch and some BlackBerry models can access Optimum WiFi through a simple sign-on screen. Currently, there are more than 5,000 different types of consumer electronic devices certified to operate over WiFi, the same wireless Internet standard more than half of Cablevision's Optimum Online customers use at home through wireless broadband routers. More than 300 million WiFi-enabled devices were sold last year, a figure expected to grow to 1 billion in 2012. Apple recently announced that it has already sold more than 30 million iPhone and iPod touch devices, both of which prominently feature WiFi.
Once a customer logs into Optimum WiFi by entering their Optimum User ID and password, the network delivers fast symmetrical speeds of up to 1.5 megabits-per-second. Optimum WiFi uses the same standard used in wireless home networks, 802.11, and any device that is certified by the WiFi Alliance as adhering to the 802.11 standards and has a web browser will be able to access the Optimum WiFi network.
About Cablevision
Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC) is one of the nation's leading media and entertainment companies. Its cable television operations serve more than 3 million households in the New York metropolitan area. The company's advanced telecommunications offerings include its iO TV(R) digital television, Optimum Online(R) high-speed Internet, Optimum Voice(R) digital voice-over-cable, and its Optimum Lightpath integrated business communications services. Cablevision operates several successful programming businesses, including AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv, through Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, and serves the New York area as publisher of Newsday and other niche publications through Newsday Media Group. In addition to these businesses, Cablevision owns Madison Square Garden and its sports teams, the New York Knicks, Rangers and Liberty. The company also operates New York's famed Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, and the Chicago Theatre, and owns and operates Clearview Cinemas.
SOURCE Cablevision Systems Corporation
