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Comcast job ad hints at wireless ambitions
There's not much you can learn from a Comcast job ad, but that won't prevent speculation about its entry into the mobile business. The company has posted an advert asking for warm bodies executives to lead the company's push into the "wireless ecosystem." According to the pitch to would-be employees, the job centers around making Kabletown's existing triple-play offerings more mobile friendly, as well as evaluating "potential entries into the wireless ecosystem." Comcast may already have an MVNO agreement with Verizon and Sprint, but FierceCable feels that it's at least plausible that its long-rumored WiFi calling service may finally be coming.
Cablevision's WiFi-only unlimited mobile phone service is live
The all-WiFi phone service Cablevision announced in January is now available. Unlike the usual mobile carrier, the Freewheel phone (currently a $100 second generation Moto G) only operates on WiFi -- to keep costs down it doesn't look for 3G, LTE or any other kind of signal. Of course, if you're consistently in the range of wireless hotspots then that's not a problem, and it's pre-programmed to log in to any of 1.1 million Optimum hotspots in the New York area or "Cable WiFi" hotspots elsewhere. As promised, it's $10 per month for customers with Cablevision's internet service or $30 without, all to get unlimited calling, data and text messaging with no annual contract.
Freewheel is Cablevision's WiFi calling service for thrifty New Yorkers
In large metropolitan areas that are covered with WiFi, you might start to wonder why you pay for a cellular service at all. It's this germ of an idea that has inspired Cablevision to announce Freewheel: a WiFi-based phone service that offers unlimited talk, text and data with no annual contract. The catch, if you hadn't already guessed, is that you'll only be able to use those minutes and MBs while you're in range of the nearest WiFi hotspot.
