Cablevision, Comcast and Time Warner Cable Internet Customers Can Now Roam Free Across Three WiFi Networks

NEW YORK, April 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cablevision Systems Corp. (NYSE: CVC), Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) and Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC) today announced an agreement to allow their high-speed Internet customers to roam freely across the companies' respective WiFi networks at no additional charge, greatly expanding the reach and value of cable WiFi in the New York metropolitan area.  Whether in Manhattan's Madison Square Park, areas of the Jersey Shore or in the Hamptons, high-speed Internet customers served by any of the companies can enjoy fast and free wireless Internet access on a full range of WiFi-enabled devices, including the iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry and laptop computer.

The companies have deployed thousands of WiFi access points across the market, providing fast and free wireless Internet connections as a complement to broadband service as demand for mobile data continues to increase.  Each access point today displays authentication options for all three WiFi services - Optimum WiFi, Time Warner Cable WiFi and Xfinity WiFi - allowing customers to use their own provider's sign-on process to get online.

"Cable providers interconnecting WiFi services so customers can roam freely across networks is an extremely meaningful and transformative development," said John Bickham, Cablevision's president of cable and communications.  "This agreement – the first of its kind and, we believe, the first of many – combines the reach and the value of our respective WiFi deployments and delivers fast and free wireless Internet access that stretches across the market, at a time when consumer demand for mobile data is exploding."

"Our customers are purchasing devices that have WiFi built into them and increasingly want wireless broadband access anytime, anywhere," said Cathy Avgiris, SVP and GM of Communications and Data Services at Comcast.  "With this partnership, we're excited to offer a great in-home and on-the-go Internet experience.  As a result, our Xfinity Internet and High-Speed 2go customers can now connect and enjoy their devices in more locations in the tri-state area."

"This unique partnership is a win-win for our one million Road Runner customers in the NYC metro area, adding another dimension of value and convenience," said Howard Szarfarc, Executive Vice President of Time Warner Cable's NYC region.

The importance of WiFi as a fast and reliable way to access the Internet is becoming increasingly clear as WiFi-enabled devices continue to proliferate, most recently Apple's iPad.  Apple announced earlier this month that it had already sold 85 million iPhone and iPod touch devices and 450,000 iPads, all enabled with WiFi.

"With WiFi connectivity forecast to be embedded in more than one billion mobile computer, phone and consumer electronics devices by 2012, this interconnection and free roaming agreement among the three leading cable operators in the New York metropolitan area represents a major breakthrough for cable broadband customers, extending wireless broadband connectivity from the home and business to thousands of WiFi access points throughout the region," said Berge Ayvazian, telecom industry analyst from Heavy Reading.  "This historic agreement clearly makes the tri-state area the national leader in WiFi, an increasingly important distinction."

About Cablevision

Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC) is one of the nation's leading media and entertainment companies.  Its assets include its cable television operations, which provide industry-leading services to more than 3 million New York area households, and its award-winning television networks, which deliver some of today's most watched programming to hundreds of millions of consumers worldwide.  A state-of-the-art cable system enables the company to offer a full suite of advanced residential and business communications services that include its iO TV® digital television, Optimum Online® high-speed Internet, Optimum Voice® digital voice, Optimum WiFi® wireless Internet, and its Optimum Lightpath® integrated business communications solutions.  Cablevision also serves the New York area with compelling local content through News 12 Networks, a local news leader; MSG Varsity, a suite of television and online services covering high school activities; and, Newsday Media Group, a business unit that includes Newsday, Long Island's leading daily newspaper.  In addition, through Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, Cablevision operates successful programming and entertainment businesses, such as AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, WE tv and IFC Entertainment.  The company also owns and operates Clearview Cinemas, which includes Manhattan's famed Ziegfeld Theatre, a frequent and historic venue for film premieres and events.  Additional information about Cablevision Systems Corporation is available on the Web at www.cablevision.com.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information and communication products and services. With 23.6 million cable customers, 15.9 million high-speed Internet customers, and 7.6 million Comcast Digital Voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.

Comcast's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, 11 regional sports networks operated by Comcast Sports Group and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast's Internet businesses, including Comcast.net (www.comcast.net). Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, which owns two professional sports teams, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, and a large, multipurpose arena in Philadelphia, the Wachovia Center, and manages other facilities for sporting events, concerts and other events.

About Time Warner Cable's New York City Region

Time Warner Cable's New York City Region serves over 1.4 million customers in four NYC boroughs (Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island and western Brooklyn), Mt. Vernon, Hudson Valley (Orange, Sullivan, Ulster Counties and parts of Dutchess, Greene and Delaware Counties) and Bergen and Hudson Counties, New Jersey.  Visit www.timewarnercable.com/nynj.  Time Warner Cable is the second-largest cable operator in the U.S., with technologically advanced, well-clustered systems located in five geographic areas — New York State (including New York City), the Carolinas, Ohio, southern California (including Los Angeles) and Texas. 

Time Warner Cable serves more than 14 million customers who subscribe to one or more of its video, high-speed data and voice services.  Time Warner Cable Business Class offers a suite of phone, Internet, Ethernet and cable television services to businesses of all sizes. Time Warner Cable Media Sales, the advertising arm of Time Warner Cable, offers national, regional and local companies innovative advertising solutions that are targeted and affordable.  More information about the services of Time Warner Cable is available at www.timewarnercable.com, www.twcbc.com and www.twcmediasales.com.

SOURCE Cablevision Systems Corp.