Verizon Pulling Plug on Free Wi-Fi

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

------ Forwarded Message
From: Monty Solomon <monty () roscom com>
Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2005 21:11:04 -0400
To: <undisclosed-recipient:;>
Subject: Verizon Pulling Plug on Free Wi-Fi


      Verizon Pulling Plug on Free Wi-Fi
      - Apr 28, 2005 05:43 PM (AP Online)

By BRUCE MEYERSON AP Business Writer


NEW YORK (AP) -- Verizon Communications Inc. is turning off the free
wireless Internet access it beams from New York City telephone booths
for DSL subscribers who use laptops away from home or the office.


The company revealed the decision on Wednesday as its Verizon
Wireless unit announced plans to accelerate the deployment of a
fee-based cellular Internet service in the New York area.


The free service, which will be phased out over the next two months,
was provided by installing short-range Wi-Fi transmitters in hundreds
of telephone booths starting in May 2003.


Back then, Wi-Fi was exploding in popularity and Verizon was trying
to jump-start its DSL business in a bid to catch up with rival
providers of high-speed broadband service, particularly cable TV
companies.


The realization that phone booths might serve as valuable real estate
for providing wireless Internet service came at a time when Verizon
and other Bell companies were cutting back sharply on public phones
because a growing number of people were using cell phones to make
calls from public places.


But with Verizon Wireless spending billions to upgrade its cell
network for speedier Internet connections costing up to $80 per
month, the company has decided the time has come to pull the plug on
the free Wi-Fi network.

...

      - http://finance.lycos.com/home/news/story.asp?story=48737432



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