From time immemorial, there has been an infrastructural improvement in the cable industry. Some of the upgrades include the construction of a nationwide Wi-Fi network and granting free internet access to subscribers.
However, this has not been without some warts; such as unequal access, security issues, together with specific missed opportunities. Before now, Cable Wi-Fi focuses on the establishment of internet access solely through the use of cable connections. This works by installing a wireless router with the aid of cable internet. This gives everyone within range access to the internet.
Though this has been the usual routine of installing the wireless router, currently, different cable companies have been on the move to introduce an advanced Cable Wi-Fi that has the capacity to deliver up to 250,000 available Wi-Fi hotspots with guaranteed high-speed internet.
For instance, some companies like Optimum, Time Warner Cable, Cox, Comcast Xfinity etc. have given Wi-Fi hotspots access to their subscribers on an advanced platform which is fast spreading across the globe.
This project has proven to be a positive rollout because of the increase in the connectivity range it gives to subscribers. However, the security concern of this infrastructure has been a significant challenge to this project.
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Further explanation on Cable Wi-Fi and how it functions
This Wi-Fi project is bringing a new perspective to the Cable Wi-Fi reason being that it’s more than establishing a wireless connection via a router for your cable internet needs or accessing a public wireless hotspot owned by an organization or business.
To bring this into perspective, you might have noticed a Cable Wi-Fi wireless network that often appears on your mobile phone primarily if you reside in an area where this infrastructure has been deployed. That’s the network from significant cable providers that gives free wireless access with guaranteed high internet speed.
Some people might see names like Xfinity Wi-Fi, Optimum Wi-Fi, Cox Wi-Fi rather than Cable Wi-Fi. This is because the network varies based on where you reside.
Once you’re not a subscriber to any of the above-listed networks, just a login to their website will grant you internet access depending on the available free options which might include free one hour access, daily or even weekly access. In fact, a good number of these cable providers use this internet access to lure potential subscribers who end up purchasing internet pass. The good thing about this Cable Wi-Fi they collaborate and organize their services.
For instance, when you log in to the Cable Wi-Fi website, you’ve the option of selecting any internet provider of your choice to understand their hotspot service better. Furthermore, on this platform, you can as well have access to different trial services offered by individual provider.
What distinguished Cable Wi-Fi?
When you’ve access to a Cable Wi-Fi network, it simply means hotspot access that is delivered through a private home owner’s modern. In other words, it’s not a hotspot provided by public business, parks or other establishments. In fact, to a large extent, this has been the sole reason the cable providers are soft-pedalling access to this type of network. To better understand this, installation of this modem in a private home will be open to a private network, which is the original subscriber to the service and public network which is for users that are interested in the internet pass for public Wi-Fi hotspots.
From the app provided by internet providers, you can easily see the run-down of all the available hotspots, including their particular locations.
Another thing that makes the Cable Wi-Fi unique is the speed which is reasonable depending on your distance to the host network.
Also, the different internet pass available is affordable. To buttress this further, you can get about 26 megabits per second of download speed especially if you’re not too far from the access point, while the speed can decrease to approximately 6 megabits per second as you move farther from the host network.
The commencement of Cable Wi-Fi is a welcome development, especially to private home consumers who have embraced this advancement. However, some are still against the provision of public wireless Wi-Fi Hotspots for a reason best known to them. This has been the reason why this project has been implemented slowly with little or no publicity to avoid uproar of rejection by some consumers.
How to sign up to Cable Wi-Fi Service
CableWiFi, as earlier outlined, is a wireless network created through a collaboration of various Internet Service Providers (ISP) such as Cox Communications, Bright House Networks, Time Warner Cable, Optimum, and XFINITY.
This service gives access to high-speed Internet to customers with up to 500,000 corporate network Wi-Fi hotspots across the nation.
1. Availability
First, you need to see if the latest CableWi-Fi hotspot is available in your location. You can do this by looking out for the name of the provider to want to subscribe to. For instance, you’ll see names like Cox Wi-Fi, Xfinity Wi-Fi, Optimum Wi-Fi etc.
This is important because not all providers are available in cities across the nation. You’re required to sign in the first time you visit each Cable Wi-Fi operator. Once this is done, your device will be documented by their networks for two years.
However, because of security issues, you’ll be required to verify your username including your password, at least once or twice every two years depending on the Cable Wi-Fi operator you subscribed to. Also, the verification will be required when you access the Cable Wi-Fi from a different device.
2. Requirements
Most of the service providers have a specific package. You must subscribe to any of the available Cable Wi-Fi high-speed internet packages. For instance, Cox Wi-Fi has the following;
- Preferred
- Preferred 100
- Premier
- Connect2Compete
- Ultimate
- Gigablast (where available)
3. Required Devices Needed Before Signing Up
To access and use any of the available Cable Wi-Fi, you need to have any of the following categories types of Wi-Fi device. They’re as follows;
- Laptop systems running on either Mac or Windows operating systems
- Tablets using Android, iOS, or Windows 8 operating systems
- Smartphones using Android, Windows 8, iOS, or Blackberry operating systems
Some Complaints about Cable Wi-Fi.
The same way there are advantages in using Cable Wi-Fi, also there is an issue which you may likely experience as a subscriber. This issues will help you with the required information to make an informed decision on whether this service is what you want or not. Some of these issues are as follows;
1. Security Suites
There has been an emphasis by the cable providers on the use of security applications. This has been the reason why they offer identity theft protection, internet security suites, password protection and other relevant security applications that can help secure this innovative infrastructure.
These security applications are essential despite the explanation by most of the providers involved in the Cable Wi-Fi project that there is a considerable separation between the private and public network. With these applications, you’ll be secured against any network impersonation together with guaranteeing maximum security.
To further buttress this, you’ll know the importance of this security application, especially when view list of networks on your device, you’ll discover green padlock on any available wireless network. What this simply means that there is a confirmation that indicated an endorsement with the valid security certificate from your internet provider. This will indeed prevent hackers who are expert at mimicking these networks to make it look so real just to lure unsuspecting users.
Hence, you must always take cognizance of certification information before you enter your username and password of any network because there might come with the same network name. Failure to do this will give these hackers access to your login credentials which they need to steal your bank details. This is a source of headache, especially to homeowners that are granting the public network access.
Furthermore, in today’s technology market, there has been advanced tools used in hacking that can change the public Wi-Fi access point into counterpart, which passes it off to the internet provider. This is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed by internet providers.
To advance on this, it’s essential they set up stricter authentication requirements for any device that wants to access a network. These unresolved security issues experienced in some of these networks is the main reason it’s not advisable to carry out a bank transaction or other sensitive tasks with public wireless access in other to protect your persona information. Also, this is another reason as a homeowner to be conscious, especially when subscribing to internet service through any member under the cable Wi-Fi project.
2. Renting of home modems
There has been a sudden surge on how cable internet providers are offering incentives to their subscribers just to rent their modems at home. This they do by offering discounts of between $5-$10 to use home modems to broadcast a public wireless access signal.
Some even end up making use of your paid subscription to make these broadcast. To the customer, this might look like a form of compensation to them. Still, in a real sense, these providers end up saving so much for not purchasing new infrastructures required to provide Wi-Fi hotspot without relying on their subscribers effectively. To an extent, this should concern the subscribers because of the consequence that might result from it.
3. Further activation of Home Hotspots
In recent times, a good number of ISP are making use of roundabout ways to increase the coverage of their networks.
In doing this, some may be kind enough to inform the subscribers of the deployment while other will intentionally omit your hotspot from the location map leaving you to discover it yourself when you turn on your mobile device. This might not be the case if you reside in densely populated areas where it will be challenging to locate the source of the signal.
In Conclusion
This new Cable Wi-Fi network project was launched to help provide different subscribers with Wi-Fi access outside their residence. This is achieved by offering numerous Wi-Fi hotspots which they can choose from. Various Cable Wi-Fi providers have accomplished a great fit in bringing this project to different homes with increased internet speed.
However, the cable internet providers must be honest with especially on the part of renting their modem to provide this service. Currently, their emphasis is on the expansion of this Wi-Fi hotspot project without delivering value to the subscribers.
Cable Wi-Fi has proven to be a detached network. The only challenge there is that the offerings and prices still appear to be an instance of the primary providers seeking to retain subscribers to all-inclusive but expensive packages of internet, voice, and video while leaving out the category of customer who needed a more specified experience by procuring only the essential services they want.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How does Cable Wi-Fi Function?
For this to function, a data signal will be sent through a coaxial cable from your ISP precisely to your modem. With the aid of an Ethernet cable, your modem will connect to your router or computer which in turn gives access to the high-speed internet.
How secured is the Cable Wi-Fi?
All the operators under the Cable Wi-Fi project make every reasonable effort to ensure their services is secured. But because it’s a wireless service, it’s important you’ve a malware detection application or an antivirus install in your device. Furthermore, your operating system firewall must be turned on to guarantee your security further online.
What is the maximum number of devices required to connect to Cable Wi-Fi?
Per-user ID, you need a maximum of three devices to connect to a Cable WiFi, at the same time and but in general, it’s a maximum of ten per account.
Are Wi-Fi and cable the same?
Before now, the only way to run a physical network connection is through a cable which is not convenient. With Wi-Fi, you can connect still connect to a network without actually using a cable. A Wi-Fi network is a local wireless network.
