Comcast Corp. is evaluating a free wireless Web service for its cable subscribers in parts of New Jersey, following in the footsteps of a fellow cable operator.

Comcast shadowed Cablevision Systems Corp., which is offering Wi-Fi in its expanded Island, Connecticut and Westchester markets and will complete the wireless rollout by early 2010.

The collaboration is meant to extend the reach of each cable operator’s Wi-Fi; a Comcast customer can access his cable operator’s Wi-Fi in assured Cablevision markets

Comcast spokeswoman Mary Nell Westbrook said Wi-Fi speeds will be 1.5 Megabits per second, comparable to DSL at home. Users will be asked for the username and password they use for Comcast’s Net service before they can access Wi-Fi.

whether all goes well, Comcast could decide to roll out the free service nationwide, to be accessed by laptops and other Wi-Fi devices. But Westbrook cautioned that the trial is still […]

Orginal post by dhiram