Comcast Adds Chicago to Public Wi-Fi Hotspot Network

The Internet is a resource around which the lives of millions of Americans revolve. It’s often critical to ensuring that they maximize their full professional potential by allowing them to access numerous productivity tools and valuable information. It’s also a prime destination for many people who are seeking to satisfy their social engagement and entertainment needs. This fertile online space is also essential to ensuring that the various high-tech mobile devices which play such important roles in the lives of their owners are able to fully deliver on the performance that they promise. The public wireless network is a very popular means by significant volumes of Web-going Americans are able to access the various resources that exist on the World Wide Web. It’s an extremely convenient alternative to having a hardwired, dedicated connection within their respective homes or offices. Invariably, this wireless Internet access is established using a smartphone or tablet. Comcast is seeking to satisfy the needs of more of these users with the continued deployment of its proposed national public wireless network. Chicago, which is one of the nation’s most populous cities, is the latest area in which the company is wirelessly connecting residents.

 

The Wi-Fi Hotspot Next Door

Comcast, which is one of the largest Internet service providers in the United States, is seeking to crisscross the city of Chicago with an expansive Wi-Fi network that will facilitate access by virtually all of the metropolis’ residents. The first building blocks to support this massive initiative were laid last year when the company began establishing access points in various outdoor locations – including shopping centers and public parks – throughout the “Windy City”. Subsequently, the company indicated that the capabilities and range of its wireless network was set to be boosted significantly by the incorporation of thousands of business customers into the grid. These commercial subscribers have signed up to enable the use of their locations (and onsite equipment) as wireless transmission points. In recent days, the public has witnessed the commencement of the latest stage in Comcast’s citywide Wi-Fi rollout. Increasing numbers of residential customers are now being co-opted into the network. Their homes now have the potential to function as public wireless hotspots.

 

 

How exactly will it work?

In Comcast’s residential Wi-Fi grid framework, the dual-mode modems housed in the homes of thousands of Chicagoans will continue to play critical roles in extending service to both subscribers and non-subscribers who want to tap into the company’s Internet service. These modems are capable of broadcasting two signals. One of these signals is reserved exclusively for the use of the residential subscribers themselves. The other, however, can be accessed by other individuals who don’t reside within the home –whether they are XFINITY subscribers or not. Users who are themselves XFINITY Internet customers can simply enter their account credentials to gain access to the hotspot to which they’re nearest at that particular point in time. Meanwhile, prospective users who are non-subscribers can utilize the service on a pay-per-use basis. The company suggests that hourly rates will apply to this category of users.

 

No Need for Performance and Security Concerns

Understandably, there are many existing subscribers who’ve expressed concerns regarding the possible impact that such a development will have on the quality of the service that they’re able to receive. Will it affect the respective download and upload speeds that they’ve been able to bank on? Will the addition of more users to the network result in reliability or security issues? These are just a few of the common questions that have been directed at company representatives in the aftermath of the announcement. However, Tom Nagel, Comcast’s Senior Vice President and General Manager of Wireless, has assured existing customers that these new developments won’t compromise their existing service in any way. In a recent public statement, he affirmed that any “use on the public side doesn’t impact the private side.” This is largely due to the fact that the signals which they’ll rely on for service will remain separate from the one by which every other prospective user will gain access to the information superhighway.

 

Using Public Wireless Networks Safely

 

As indicated above, Comcast has expressed confidence that their customers will not be subjected to any undue inconvenience as a result of this new development. However, despite the fact that no problems are anticipated, it’s always a good idea for users of Wi-Fi networks to take general precautions to ensure that they’re fully protected – just in case something unforeseen happens. Here are a few measures that these XFINITY Internet subscribers (and others) can employ:

 

• Turn off sharing

By tweaking the requisite account settings, wireless Internet service subscribers can turn off the sharing feature that allows other users to access the signal emitted by their wireless modem. This is an option which is also available to XFINITY Internet customers who don’t want to participate in the company’s new Wi-Fi initiative.

 

• Make sure antivirus software is up-to-date

Wireless Internet subscribers can also guard against any potential external threats by installing a solid antiviral package to protect any sensitive information that they might’ve stored on their computer. Such software can also provide antispyware protection, which will keep any potential prying eyes away.

 

The Wrap Up

Chicago is the latest city to witness the rollout of Comcast’s public Wi-Fi network. The initiative is being supported by the existing network infrastructure which connects thousands of current residential subscribers to the grid.

 

Comcast Adds Chicago to Public Wi-Fi Hotspot Network