Apple Planning a Cable Box, Begins Talks with Cable Providers

Andrew Grush — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 18:38:28 +0000

It seems that Apple started talking with a few different cable providers recently, with the goal of bringing a set-top box experience to cable subscribers. The idea with such a device would be to provide an Apple TV-like experience that also works through live TV and has special additional features like AirPlay functionality, iTunes capabilities (if cable providers would allow it) and more.

Why would Apple want to make such a move? The idea is simple, cable is where the content is. By working with a cable company, Apple could invade living rooms in a big way since set-top boxes wouldn’t need to be bought- instead you could rent an Apple TV box for a few additional bucks a month.

All we know for sure is that Apple is in talks to create something like a set-top box, the features and functions they are dreaming of are unknown, though I can certainly do a little speculating here.

Something tells me that, if they come up with an arrangement, it would involve streaming and sharing with iOS devices across the house. Imagine watching your favorite live TV channel through your iPad in the bedroom- while your set-top box is in the living room. Whether you would have to watch the same show that is playing on the Apple Box or if it would have an extra digital tuner is hard to say- but I could certainly see Apple trying a move like this. Keep in mind this is just speculation, so don’t take it too seriously.

Would cable providers go for it? Maybe, depends on how well they can profit. Just like DVRs allow recording of TV shows at a monthly additional cost for cable subscribers, networks like Time Warner could have a monthly fee for access to the TV show streaming capabilities. Imagine if you also do things like transfer DVR recording to the iPad and iPhone- that would be awesome, though probably less likely than the idea of streaming live shows.

If such a box existed, would you consider it? Do you think cable providers would go for such a thing?

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Major US Cable Companies Partner to Create 50,000 Wifi Hotspots

Andrew Grush — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:39:21 +0000

In search of a smart way to provide WiFi hotspot services to their customers, several of the largest cable companies in the US are joining hands to create a massive Wi-Fi network for its customers, called CableWiFi. This network is the collaboration of Time Warner, Comcast, Cox Communications, Bright House Networks and Cablevision.

The combined network consists of an impressive 50,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across the United States to all of its customers that are subscribed to their cable Internet packages. While many cities offer limited or somewhat spotty free Wi-Fi service, this is certainly a massive initiative to provide cable users Internet access almost anywhere they go in the bigger cities of the United States. Certainly having a wider access to high-speed hotspots is a major win for customers of any of the mentioned carriers, and could be a major selling point for these brands in the future.

You can check out the full press release below.

BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Bright House Networks, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox Communications and Time Warner Cable today announce that they will enable each other’s high-speed Internet customers to access their metro WiFi networks, totaling over 50,000 hotspots. To simplify access, a new network name, “CableWiFi”, has been created for subscribers to use when accessing the WiFi hotspots outside their home market. The first implementation is already complete as Bright House Networks and Cablevision launched “CableWiFi” alongside their branded WiFi networks in the New York City area and central Florida earlier this month. Over the next few months, the “CableWiFi” network name will be added by each of the cable companies to their branded WiFi hotspots.

“This effort adds great value to our high speed Internet customers by providing free wireless Internet access on all of their WiFi enabled devices in our markets and additional areas across the country,” said Nomi Bergman, President of Bright House Networks.

“We believe that WiFi is a superior approach to mobile data, and that cable providers are best positioned to build the highest-capacity national network offering customers fast and reliable Internet connections when away from their home or business broadband service,” said Kristin Dolan, Cablevision’s senior executive vice president of product management and marketing. “We’ve built an extensive WiFi network in our own service area, and see real value and potential in other leading providers joining with us to extend that connectivity to major markets across the country.”

Dave Watson, Chief Operating Officer of Comcast Cable added, “Mobility is an increasingly important part of our Xfinity services product roadmap. WiFi technology, coupled with our agreements with Verizon Wireless, are two significant ways we are executing on our strategy to deliver the best in- and out-of-home communications experience for our customers.”

“The way customers are using our service continues to evolve,” said Jill Campbell, Cox Communications COO. “This is a new area of opportunity that we need to explore.”

“We have long been the leading providers of high-speed internet services in our customers’ homes. Through our rollout of WiFi and the benefits of this collaboration we greatly increase the value and reach of our high-speed internet service, providing access to broadband outside the home and in cities across the country,” said Rob Marcus, President and COO of Time Warner Cable.

When traveling outside their home markets, high-speed Internet subscribers of the participating companies will look for the “CableWiFi” network and through a simple sign-on process connect using the same credentials as when accessing their providers’ WiFi networks. In the coming months, users will be able to have their devices auto-connect to the Internet when located in any of the “Cable WiFi” hotspots.

The participating cable operators currently offer more than 50,000 WiFi hotspots located in New York City and the surrounding Tri-State area, Los Angeles, Tampa, Orlando, and Philadelphia. The operators plan to continue to grow the number of WiFi hotspots and expand into several additional cities. The network has both indoor and outdoor WiFi hotspots located in popular, high traffic locations, such as shopping districts, cafes, malls, arenas, restaurants, parks and beaches. Subscribers will be able to find the nearest WiFi hotspots by visiting the WiFi homepage of their current cable provider or going to www.cablewifi.com.

This is the largest and most inclusive WiFi sharing effort among cable operators to date. In early 2010, Cablevision, Comcast and Time Warner Cable entered into an agreement allowing their customers in New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Connecticut to access WiFi hotspots offered by each operator in these areas.

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Apple Planning a Cable Box, Begins Talks with Cable Providers

Major US Cable Companies Partner to Create 50,000 Wifi Hotspots