Free Wi-Fi for some cable subscribers in NYC area

Cablevision, Comcast, and Time Warner Cable are teaming up to allow their subscribers in New York City and the surrounding area to roam onto each other's Wi-Fi networks.

All three companies currently offer free Wi-Fi service to their cable subscribers in areas surrounding the Big Apple, including parts of Long Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Starting Thursday anyone who subscribes to broadband from any of these providers will get free Wi-Fi access on the two other cable operators' Wi-Fi networks.

The blog Broadband Reports notes this is particularly good news for Time Warner Cable customers. Time Warner has relatively few Wi-Fi hot spots, and it is the predominant cable operator in the city. Cablevision is investing about $310 millionto deliver free Wi-Fi to much of its territory including Amtrak and commuter train stations in its region. Additional free cable-sponsored Wi-Fi hot spots can be found in other public places such as parks.