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Services
June 14, 2011
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Cablevision increases free Optimum Wi-Fi to 15Mbps across NY/NJ/CT

By on June 14, 2011 at 9:45 AM.

Cablevision increases free Optimum Wi-Fi to 15Mbps across NY/NJ/CT

Cablevision’s Optimum Wi-Fi service, free for subscribers, has been extremely popular in the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut tri-state area, giving customers access to fast Wi-Fi from tens of thousands of locations. Today, Cablevision is announcing that the company has bumped up speeds at all Wi-Fi locations to 15Mbps down and 4Mbps up — the same speeds home subscribers get with entry-level Optimum Online service. Over 500,000 people use Optimum’s free Wi-Fi service, and this move makes Optimum’s Wi-Fi faster than any 3G or 4G network, barring Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network, which we’ve seen trump those numbers from time to time. Additionally, Cablevision previously partnered with Time Warner and Comcast to allow customers of all three providers to roam onto all three provider’s Wi-Fi networks, so this change affects Time Warner and Comcast subscribers as well which is great. The full press release is after the break, and the new download and upload speeds are already available across the tri-state area. More →

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Services
June 2, 2010
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Cablevision submits proposal to bring Optimum Wi-Fi to MTA trains

By on June 2, 2010 at 2:20 PM.

Cablevision submits proposal to bring Optimum Wi-Fi to MTA trains

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In a response to a Request for Proposal from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Cablevision announced today that it has submitted a bid to bring its Optimum Wi-Fi to Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North trains on Long Island as well as in Westchester and Southern Connecticut. Access to the network will be free for Optimum Online customers, while everyone else will be able to make use of the service for “reasonable rates.” Cablevision currently has Optimum Wi-Fi hotspots in some 200 MTA stations, and says it is committed to having the hotspots up and running within 12 months and will build and maintain them on its own dime. Anyone hoping this proposal is accepted, especially in light of today’s unlimited-data-plan-killing announcement from AT&T? Let us know after hitting the jump to check out the press release. You know, if you’re into that sort of thing. More →

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Services
September 1, 2009
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AT&T Windows Mobile phones to get free Wi-Fi starting September 14th

By on September 1, 2009 at 1:50 PM.

AT&T Windows Mobile phones to get free Wi-Fi starting September 14th

The news just keeps on coming today for Windows Mobile enthusiasts. This morning, Microsoft announced that “Windows Phones” — aka handsets powered by Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 6.5 OS — would begin to reach market on October 6th. Now, AT&T has jumped in to reveal plans to add Windows Mobile-powered handsets to its free Wi-Fi pool. That’s right folks, starting Friday September 14th, AT&T’s WinMo smartphones will gain free access to each and every AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot. BlackBerrys and iPhones have enjoyed free AT&T Wi-Fi for quite a while now, so it’s nice to finally see Windows Mobile join the fun. There are two requirements of course, the first being an unlimited data plan or other qualifying data option. Secondly, your WinMo handset must, in fact, have Wi-Fi capabilities in order for you to enjoy free Wi-Fi. Right on.

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Software
July 24, 2008
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Avanquest Connection Manager Software Available for Free

By on July 24, 2008 at 10:41 AM.

Avanquest Connection Manager Software Available for Free

Amongst the many processes that the Windows OS has a knack for making particularly annoying is the process of managing connections. Every time you arrive at a new location, be it a hotel, cafe, airport, conference room, public hotspot or otherwise, you need to search for available connections, maybe tweak some settings, add the connection to your approved list and so on. There are a few companies that currently offer solutions to simplify this process, but how many do you know of that offer said solution for free? Avanquest announced this morning that it’s Connection Manager software, typically carrying a $30 price of entry, is now available absolutely free of charge from its website. In a nutshell, Connection Manager does everything for you. It will find available connections (WiFi with WEP, WPA1 and WPA2 support, LAN,  ADSL and even WiMAX), connect and configure your security, printer, VPN and other applicable settings on the fly. It will then store the new connection profile for a near-instant reconnect if and when you return to the location. Avanquest offers a bunch of personal productivity, multimedia, business and educational applications that are worth checking out. In the meantime hit the read link to snag the Connection Manager software and make your travels far more tolerable by giving yourself one less thing to worry about.

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Services
June 3, 2008
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AT&T and Starbucks Finally Launch Free WiFi; Not Really Free

By on June 3, 2008 at 9:38 AM.

AT&T and Starbucks Finally Launch Free WiFi; Not Really Free

It’s here, it’s gone, it’s here, it’s gone, it’s here. It took a fair number of misfires and tweaks but AT&T and Starbucks have finally launched the free WiFi service we’ve been waiting for, well, for a long time. The catch? There are actually several. Truth be told, this free WiFi deal isn’t free at all. The two biggies:

  • Only available to paying customers: In order to access free WiFi, you’ll need to purchase and use a Starbucks card. Also, free WiFi access is only available to those who have used their Starbucks cards in the past 30 days.
  • Only available in 2-hour clips: Customers can only use WiFi for two consecutive hours each day. Want more? Get a paid AT&T plan.

So in its final released version, complimentary AT&T WiFi access is not being billed as “free”. Starbucks is calling it “a way to thank our loyal customers”. AT&T Laptop Connect customers with an applicable plan still have their own deal for free WiFi and we should be seeing something similar launch for smartphones this year as well. In the meantime you’ll need to keep sucking down that liquid crack to play without paying.

[Via Gear Diary]

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Exclusive
May 19, 2008
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AT&T Launching Free WiFi for Laptop Connect; All Smartphones Later in 2008

By on May 19, 2008 at 11:30 PM.

AT&T Launching Free WiFi for Laptop Connect; All Smartphones Later in 2008

Here we go again! AT&T will be doing the free WiFi dance that we’ve all become familiar with, but this time it has nothing to do with iPhones. Starting tomorrow, Tuesday May 20th, all Laptop Connect customers will be able to enjoy free WiFi at each and every AT&T hotspot. AT&T’s internal correspondence on the matter:

Effective tomorrow, May 20th, the long-awaited FREE WiFi Access to over 17,000 WiFi locations throughout the U.S. launches for Laptop Connect Customers with plans $60 or higher. This exciting new feature will allow customers unlimited access to over 17,000 WiFi locations at no extra charge including locations in Starbucks and McDonalds. Customers will need three things for this free access:

  • A laptop card. FREE WiFi for Smartphones is not available yet, but will be later in 2008.
  • The latest version of Communication Manager (version 6.8). Once loaded this version will automatically log onto AT&T hotspots.
  • A Laptop Connect plan of $60 or greater.

Note that first bullet: “FREE WiFi for Smartphones is not available yet, but will be later in 2008.” Does that mean all smartphone users will soon be able to enjoy free WiFi? All of the sudden our drawers full of unlocked smartphones aren’t looking so hot! In the meantime, AT&T Laptop Connect customers, enjoy. Let’s all hope it sticks this time…

[Thanks, Anonymous Tipster]

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