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

Posted by kdawson on from the windows-only dept.

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."

23 of 168 comments (clear)

  1. Man, I wish I could have been in that meeting by NaCh0 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Marketing Douche: Say, how about we offer mobile internet access that won't work with mobile devices.

    PHB: Great idea!!

    1. Re:Man, I wish I could have been in that meeting by commodore64_love · · Score: 2, Funny

      If only I knew what WiFi was. Is it anything like SciFi? Does it come with my AMD K5 laptop, or do I need a separate device? Does it work anywhere, or only in certain locations like coffee shops?

      Aside-

      Other "free" things we privileged members of Verizon get include access to espn360.com and disneyconnection.com. Try to contain your excitement.

      --
      "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - historian Evelyn Beatrice Hall
    2. Re:Man, I wish I could have been in that meeting by Svartalf · · Score: 3, Insightful

      This is Verizon you're talking about here. They have this control thing- and moreover, if you're using a Cellphone/PDA, you're supposed to be using their more expensive EvDO service you know... :-D

      --
      I am not merely a "consumer" or a "taxpayer". I am a Citizen of the State of Texas
    3. Re:Man, I wish I could have been in that meeting by Zontar+The+Mindless · · Score: 3, Funny

      I think they actually mean "WyFy", don't they?

      --
      Il n'y a pas de Planet B.
    4. Re:Man, I wish I could have been in that meeting by illumin8 · · Score: 2, Informative

      This seems like a really bone-headed move to me. I'm writing this post from an iPhone at a Cablevision wifi ap right now. Cablevision has consistently improved their service recently to compete with Fios. I just subscribe to basic cable modem, which is your standard $50 a month. Recently they increased the bandwidth to 20 Meg down, 2 Meg up. I really appreciate having good upstream bandwidth. For $10 more a month, if you really want, they'll bump you up to something like 30/5.

      I get free wifi all over the tri-state area and it works with any device. It basically just uses an open AP with an ssl user/pw prompt, so it will work with any device.

      I think once the novelty of "hey I'm getting fiber in my house" wears off you realize that you're stuck in a contract with verizon, and meanwhile your neighbors are getting just as much bandwidth over copper...

      --
      "When the president does it, that means it's not illegal." - Richard M. Nixon
  2. Sadly . . . by grahamsaa · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Neither this wireless service, nor FiOS, are available to users in many markets. Where I live we have a telephone company and cable company duopoly over broadband service. A little more competition would be nice. . .

    --
    Facts have a liberal bias.
  3. Reverse engineering in 3, 2, 1... by Ungrounded+Lightning · · Score: 4, Interesting

    "To use a hotspot, the customer must install software that works only on computers with Windows Vista or XP installed. ..."

    How long until THAT is reverse-engineered? (And/or will it run under WINE? Is it a control app or something that goes into the protocol stack?)

    --
    Bantam Dominique roosters crow a four-note song. Once you've heard it as "Happy BIRTHday" you can't NOT hear it that way
    1. Re:Reverse engineering in 3, 2, 1... by Chyeld · · Score: 2, Informative

      Given the rich variety provided on this list of supported devices from Boingo, I would have to say that it must have been intentional douchebaggery on Verizon's part. (i.e. if no one uses the 'free' access, then Verizon doesn't have to pay for it)

    2. Re:Reverse engineering in 3, 2, 1... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      I assume it is their auth protocol which is special. My university's encrypted wireless network only works on Windows and Mac (they have an unencrypted one, too, so it's not really an issue). I sent an e-mail to the IT help desk complaining and got a reply that the person responding to my e-mail was also a Linux user annoyed at the setup.

  4. Included software count over/under by mustangsal · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Starting at TWO. You have to figure on at least a homepage change and a Yahoo toolbar.

    --
    1+2+1+1 || 1+2+2+1
  5. TCP stack crash included at no extra charge by mustangsal · · Score: 3, Insightful

    So now I'll have the Verizon Access Manager, the Boingo tool, several VPN clients... How long until it all crashes... How stable can it be if it only runs on...

    --
    1+2+1+1 || 1+2+2+1
  6. Re:This is fucking BULLSHIT, and it has mshaft by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    ALL OVER, or it has dumb-ass STUPID verizon marketing, legal, and ms/verizon/stupid-lazy-programmers/marketing..........

    Show me, on this doll, where Verizon touched you.

  7. Re:Troll? by Svartalf · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It's not an anti-Windows troll...

    If you use MacOS or Linux, it truly IS worthless. Moreover, it axes many useful usages, like a Nokia N770/N8X0/N9XXX mobile device, which uses Linux as it's main OS; and we won't get into the other WinCE devices which would have used it as well.

    It's a short-sighted thing they've done here. Seriously.

    --
    I am not merely a "consumer" or a "taxpayer". I am a Citizen of the State of Texas
  8. Qwest by Phroggy · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Qwest DSL customers have free access to AT&T wifi hotspots, including at Starbucks and McDonald's. This is for anyone using Qwest's DSL connections, regardless of their choice of ISP.

    --
    $x='S24;r)>63/* h@<5+oZ)32"5cz';$me='phroggy'x$];
    $x=~y+ -xz+\0-Tx+;print$_^chop$me for split'',$x;
  9. Windows only? Boingo Has an OS X Client by weston · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This is odd, because Boingo has an OS X client for accessing their service. If Verizon is using them as the provider, why would it be locked out?

    --
    Tweet, tweet.
    1. Re:Windows only? Boingo Has an OS X Client by amiga3D · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Because it's Verizon? The only nice thing I can think of to say about Verizon is they aren't AT&T. I wonder why we can't have a decent wireless provider in the US. Must they all suck. Except for AT&T who swallow.

    2. Re:Windows only? Boingo Has an OS X Client by $pace6host · · Score: 2, Interesting
      If this is just Verizon branded Boingo, then (from the Boingo FAQ):

      What is the Boingo software and why should I download it?

      • Boingo software turns the arduous ritual of logging in to Wi-Fi hotspots into a one-click love affair. The software automatically alerts you whenever youâ(TM)re in a Boingo hotspot and stores your username and password, so you can get online quickly and easily.
      • Boingo software is free!
      • Boingo software for your laptop is recommended, but not required.
      • Boingo software for your Wi-Fi enabled device is required.

      How can Boingo software not be required for my laptop, but Boingo software IS required for my "Wi-Fi enabled device"?

      I thought the Boingo software just made it "easy" to find Boingo member networks, and to automatically supply your user ID / password. If it's possible to just scan for the network, and then log in with a username / password, why wouldn't I be able to do that with my WiFi capable BlackBerry and "Hotspot" browser?

  10. No software needed for AT&T customers by linuxguy · · Score: 2, Informative

    AT&T does the same for their broadband customers. Free wifi at McDonald's, Starbucks and many other places. The biggest difference is that you do not need any specially dumb software to connect.

    Verizon on the other hand require particularly dumb software that works only on limited set of OSes and according to this: http://forums.verizon.com/t5/Verizon-at-Home-Blog/Verizon-Brings-Free-Wi-Fi-to-Millions-of-Broadband-Customers/ba-p/59727;jsessionid=51BB9F7245B9EA45C39F3F2F9A5DB41D#A76

    sits in the background and continuously scans for a Verizon wifi hotspot. Who comes up with these brain-dead ideas to slow down customers' computers?

    BTW, I am a Verizon FIOS customer and I tried to place a comment on their blog entry, linked above. I could not do that, even after I logged in using my Verizon credentials. They kept asking me to login. But I am already logged in, you dumbasses. Sometimes I wonder how is it that Verizon can stay in business. These people are utterly clueless. And dont get me started on their "customer portal". A bunch of monkey can put together a better user interface than that. I sometimes have to use it to pay bills/update credit card on file etc. And I cringe at the thought of ever having to use it.

  11. Re:No FIOS here, but... by virtual_mps · · Score: 2, Insightful

    ...if I downgrade my broadband speed by a factor of 5-10 from cable

    You have a 300Mbps cable connection? What market is that in?

  12. Re:Level heads by Svartalf · · Score: 3, Informative

    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.

    --
    I am not merely a "consumer" or a "taxpayer". I am a Citizen of the State of Texas
  13. Re:Troll? by layer3switch · · Score: 3, Informative

    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...

    --
    "Don't let fools fool you. They are the clever ones."
  14. Apple dominates the $1000+ computer market by beej · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Their users don't need no steenkin' free wifi! They're all waiting for Apple to roll out $100/month wifi with the rounded corners!

  15. Re:This is fucking BULLSHIT, and it has mshaft by AndrewNeo · · Score: 4, Funny

    ALL OVER