Verizon FiOS/DSL Customers Get Free Wi-Fi Across US

Glenn Fleishman lets us know that Verizon is finally offering nationwide Wi-Fi access to its high-speed Internet customers, long after Cablevision's similar service went live. While Cablevision is building out an in-house network of hotspots, Verizon is relying on a deal with Boingo Wireless — a strategy with both strengths and drawbacks, as Wi-Fi Net News points out. Neither Verizon's nor Boingo's announcement reveals the mechanics of how existing Verizon DSL and FiOS customers will get access, but an AP report spells it out: "To use a hotspot, the customer must install software that works only on computers with Windows Vista or XP installed. Phones, iPods, and Macintosh computers with Wi-Fi can't access the hotspots."

Comments

Re:Level heads

[Svartalf]

Oh, no... This is truly a Verizon gem.

Here's the Link
And here's the VerizonWiFi link for the service... :-)

Verizon Wi-Fi is not available for PDAs, phones, desktop PCs or Macs.

The software's only available for Windows and only intended for "laptops" right at the moment- they're not using Boingo's usual software, it's something special for Verizon.

Re:Troll?

[layer3switch]

http://www.boingo.com/download-boingo.php Assuming this is Boingo network, I don't see how Boingo software can't be used within Boingo network. Currently Boingo supports from Windows XP, Mac OS X, Nokia N series, WindowCE, Blackberry, Android and iPhone/iPod Touch. Most likely Verizon partnership with Boingo is to include the Verizon netbook promo users for branding. I mean, even the most stupidest marketing idiots should be able to see the idiocy in supporting only Windows XP/Vista. I really really really don't want to lose my faith in humanity because of this...