Comcast expanding Wi-Fi hotspot program

Six months after launching a new network of more than 1,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across the state, Comcast is broadening the program.

The company announced that the network has increased exponentially to more than 47,000 hotspots in Utah and is growing. The expanding Wi-Fi network is part of a nationwide system that allows Xfinity Internet customers to access more than 1 million hotspots, said Tom Nagel, Comcast senior vice president of strategic initiatives.

“Not only is the network growing, but the (usage) is growing both in Salt Lake City and nationally,” Nagel said. “We’re seeing (major) growth year-over-year … and we don’t see it slowing down.”

The wireless service is provided free of charge to Xfinity Internet customers. Additionally, hot spots are available to non-Comcast customers at low cost or free depending on use. Last year, Comcast began installing and activating thousands of Xfinity WiFi hotspots from Ogden to Provo and in several other cities along the Wasatch Front.

Placing hotspots in high-traffic areas made accessing them more convenient, said Comcast spokesman Ray Child.

Customers access the network by searching for “xfinitywifi” or “CableWiFi” on the list of available networks, then following the prompts to start their wireless sessions. For mobile device users, the Xfinity WiFi app is available for iOS and Android devices.

In addition, non-Xfinity Internet customers can access Comcast hotspots for free for up to two, one-hour sessions every 30 days. After those sessions have expired, access is available for a fee based on time of usage. The system generally operates at 10-plus megabits per second.

The network consists of Xfinity WiFi Outdoor Hotspots where Comcast has placed hotspots in public locations across the region, from shopping centers and commuter stations to parks. There are also Xfinity WiFi Business Hotspots for which most Comcast Business Internet customers are eligible. Those customers — such as restaurants, retailers and offices — receive a hotspot for no additional charge when they order service in order to provide a Wi-Fi for their patrons.

The company also recently launched Xfinity WiFi Neighborhood Hotspots that provide residential customers with Xfinity Wireless Gateways allowing them the ability to have a second Wi-Fi signal in their home that is separate and distinct from their private and secure home Wi-Fi signal. The second signal gives visiting Xfinity Internet customers Wi-Fi access without having to use the homeowner’s private network.

“Our customers are living on the go,” said Comcast regional vice president Kyle McSlarrow. “Having extensive high-speed access to Wi-Fi at the places they work, shop and play makes it easier than ever for people to get access to their TV, communications, home security and automation, and other Xfinity services when they’re out of the house.”

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Qualcomm MU-MIMO to Triple Wi-Fi Speeds

Multi-user multiple input, multiple output (MU-MIMO) algorithms--the result of seven years of research at Qualcomm--create more efficient 802.11ac Wi-Fi networks by allowing multiple devices to access the data stream simultaneously. Current router and gateway technology requires the wireless signal to jump from device to device, thus causing traffic.

Of course, full utilization of MU-MIMO requires compatible devices on both ends of the Wi-Fi network. Qualcomm says the tech is already supported for Snapdragon 805 and 801 mobile processors, but the company will begin selling MU-MIMO chips to router, smartphone, tablet, automotive, and smart TV manufacturers later this year.

“The ever-increasing number of connected devices in homes and businesses require sufficient bandwidth to provide the best experience for users,” said Netgear CEO Patrick Lo. “MU-MIMO, as the next logical step in the 802.11ac evolution, fulfills this need, and Qualcomm Atheros’ early provisioning of this technology is timely.”

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Japan Airlines extends in-flight Wi-Fi service

Japan Airlines has confirmed that it will install Panasonic Avionics’ onboard Wi-Fi solution on its Boeing 787s, 777-200ERs and 767-300ERs.

This follows the success of the service – branded JAL SKY Wi-Fi by the airline – on 13 of its 777s, which was initially rolled out in July 2012.

Jun Kato, Executive Officer of Marketing & Branding for Japan Airlines, said: “With worldwide coverage, unmatched regulatory approvals, and plans to deploy the world’s highest bandwidth global network, it was an easy decision to choose Panasonic for our widebody aircraft.

“Our passengers love this high speed service, and we look forward to offering it on all of our international routes.”

Paul Margis, CEO of Panasonic Avionics, added: “We are honoured that Japan Airlines has selected Panasonic to provide broadband connectivity services across their international fleet.

“Our unique offering of global satellite coverage and capacity coupled with the necessary regulatory approvals and real-time 24/7 monitoring with our Mission Control Center, is making the difference for our customers.”

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Delta launches in-flight Wi-Fi on international services

Onboard connectivity is now available on some of Delta Air Lines’ long-haul routes following the introduction of Gogo’s service on Boeing 747-400 services to Tokyo.

Delta has offered in-flight connectivity on domestic routes for more than five years, but flight 283 from Los Angeles to Tokyo Narita, and flight 295 from Atlanta to Tokyo Narita became the first two international, long-haul routes to include the service.

Gogo is scheduled to complete the installation of its Wi-Fi service across Delta’s entire international fleet by the end of 2015.

Tim Mapes, Delta’s Senior Vice President – Marketing, said: “Our customers want to remain productive in-flight and that does not stop as they fly over U.S. borders. Expanding Delta’s Wi-Fi services internationally is another benefit of the investments we are making to improve the travel experience, and give our customers exactly what they want.”

Gogo President & CEO Michael Small added: “Gogo has built and operationalised a network that has the ability to provide connectivity related services to Delta’s entire fleet of domestic and international aircraft from regional jets to 777s – almost anywhere they fly around the globe. Delta will soon have more than 1,000 planes, including all two-class regional, domestic and international aircraft, flying with Gogo’s connectivity services.”

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Meru Announces Two New 2x2 802.11ac Access Points

Meru Networks, a leader in intelligent Wi-Fi solutions, today announced significant expansion of its 802.11ac portfolio with two new dual-radio, dual-stream (2X2) access points -- the industry's first 802.11ac wall plate access point, the AP122, and a new general purpose access point, the AP822. The new products extend the benefits of gigabit Wi-Fi to broader markets at lower price points and with higher performance than competitive offerings.



Both of the new access points support data rates of up to 867 Mbps as compared to competitors'3X3 solutions that are typically limited to 600 Mbps data rates. Meru's higher data rates are enabled by the Meru MobileFLEX architecture, which supports full use of the 80MHz channel specified by the 802.11ac standard. Others recommend narrower 40 MHz channels in enterprise-wide deployments, which reduces their access points' data rates.



"It's now very clear that 802.11ac is the strategic direction for organizations of all sizes everywhere, but also that a variety of access points is required to address all market requirements," said Craig Mathias, a principal with the wireless and mobile advisory firm Farpoint Group. "The Meru AP 122's broad range of applications and the AP822's performance and price add to the clear and compelling case for moving to 802.11ac instead of expanding legacy 802.11n networks." IDC forecasts that the number of network-connected devices will grow from 10 billion in 2013 to 212 billion in 2020(1). To support this explosion of devices, the new 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard combines multiple Wi-Fi channels to provide gigabit Wi-Fi data rates and support higher device densities. This reduces the number of available channels, posing little problem for the single-channel deployment option of the Meru MobileFLEX architecture, but hindering other vendors' Wi-Fi access point deployment strategies. Other vendors assume a minimum of three overlapping channels to enable enterprise-wide Wi-Fi coverage.

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#IoT : Wemo Home Automation by Belkin

Use your smartphone to control your lights and other home electronics from anywhere. Make your home a smart home with Belkin WeMo. Order today...

...WeMo is a family of simple, ingenious products that make life easier, simpler, better. WeMo uses your Wi-Fi network and mobile internet to control your home electronics right from your smartphone. WeMo also works with ifTTT, connecting your home electronics to a whole world of online apps....

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#IoT : Life with Nest Thermostat

Meet the next generation thermostat.

Most people leave the house at one temperature and forget to change it. So the Nest Learning Thermostat learns your schedule, programs itself and can be controlled from your phone. Teach it well and the Nest Thermostat can lower your heating and cooling bills up to 20%.

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