CATV Companies Expanding to Wi-Fi, Expecting 250,000 More Hotspots

June 24, 2013

The CATV industry is fully embracing Wi-Fi efforts to extend broadband services and bring free access to the public.

A new report predicts that cable-television (CATV) operators will spend over $350 million on 250,000 cable Wi-Fi hotspots by mid-2014, in their efforts to make Wi-Fi a part of the CATV business plan.

Companies including Alcatel-Lucent, Arris Group, Cisco Systems, Ericsson AB, Ruckus Wireless, and WeFi have recognized the opportunity to provide wireless access and extend broadband services to retain subscribers, as well as providing free, public Wi-Fi hotspots. Aided by HotSpot 2.0 roaming initiatives, CATV companies are also enabling cross-territory roaming. A speculative mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) phone service with Verizon is potentially in the works.

The full report is available to Heavy Reading subscribers at www.heavyreading.com/cable.

About the Author

Iliza Sokol | Associate Digital Editor

Iliza joined the Penton Media group in 2013 after graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a BS in Advertising and Marketing Communications. Prior to joining the staff, she worked at NYLON Magazine and a ghostwriting firm based in New York.