Verizon gives certain broadband customers with laptops free WiFi

As expected, Verizon Communications announced that customers of its wired FiOS and high-speed Internet services will be able to access more than 100,000 hotspots for free through an expanded agreement between Verizon and Boingo Wireless.

But as Glenn Fleishman at Wi-Fi Net News pointed out, Verizon is severely limiting the service. Only laptops using Windows XP/Vista (32-bit only) can access the hotspots. No PDAs, phones, desktop PCs or Macs are eligible. Moreover, Verizon is limiting the free offer to higher-tiered DSL and fiber (FiOS) subscribers. Existing 3 Mbps DSL or faster and 20 Mbps FiOS or faster customers are the only ones who qualify. And only new FiOS customers who buy 25 Mbps or faster connections will qualify.

The move comes as AT&T, which purchased hotspot provider Wayport last year, offers its broadband customers and some smartphone users free WiFi access. Qwest now offers its broadband customers free WiFi via AT&T's hotspots. Meanwhile, cable operator Cablevision has launched a free WiFi network to its broadband customers in parts of New York and New Jersey.

For more:
- check out this release [1]
- see Wi-Fi Net News [2]

Related articles:
Sprint's BlackBerry Tour to sprout WiFi next year [3]
Verizon [4] may offer free WiFi to home broadband subs
Qwest offers broadband customers free WiFi [5]