While telcos advance toward triple-play by adding video services, incumbent cable operators are adding wireless to their mix.
Cogeco Cable Inc. is a good example, having launched Wi-Fi Internet access in Ontario with nearly 150 access points spread throughout the Burlington, Oakville and Hamilton areas.
All Cogeco high-speed Internet customers in the area will be able to take advantage of this new service, at no additional charge, by accessing the Internet through their portable wireless devices outside their homes or offices near an access point.
The cable operator claims it is the only major ISP in its markets to provide Wi-Fi access at no additional charge as part of its Internet access offering. Cogeco is the second largest cable operator in Ontario, Quebec and Portugal.
Adding wireless Internet to service bundles demonstrates the lengths to which cable operators are going to keep current customers content while trying to land new subscribers in the face of competition from aggressive telcos and DBS providers.
Canadian-based telcos have been among the most aggressive North American phone companies in deploying TV services when compared to their Tier 1 and 2 brethren in the United States.
Wi-Fi access points have been deployed at strategic sites in Cogeco's footprint such as cafés, restaurants, recreation facilities and libraries. More details about the service along with the list of Wi-Fi access points can be found at www.cogeco.ca/wifi.
Cogeco’s digital cable service includes hundreds of channels, including HD programming, VoD and DVR functionality. Its high-speed Internet offering includes a 150kbps upload and 640kbps download, as well as 640kbps/10mbps and 1mbps/16 Mbps packages. Digital voice includes five standard calling features.
The cable operator’s current bundle for customers in Ontario includes digital cable, digital voice and high-speed Internet combined for $106 a month for the first year of service. That’s nearly the same, price-wise as a three-service bundle offered by Comcast Corp. for $99 a month for the first year of subscription.
The cable operator also offers two-service bundles including cable and phone service in Ontario that range from $71 to $86 a month for the first year of subscription.
Unlike many service providers, Cogeco offers bundles that include analog cable TV.
Through its two-way broadband cable networks, Cogeco provides its residential and commercial customers with analog and digital video and audio services, high-speed Internet access as well as telephony services. It provides about 1,649,000 revenue-generating units (RGUs) to approximately 1,439,000 homes passed in its Canadian service territory and 650,000 RGUs to approximately 829,000 homes passed in its Portuguese service territory.
Cogeco Cable Inc. www.cogeco.ca
