Time Warner Cable (TWC) has made a move to shore up the value of the company’s Internet services by partnering with Boingo (News - Alert) wireless access provider, which will provide TWC customers with Wi-Fi access in 100 Boingo locations, including 23 major U.S. airports.

“Free Wi-Fi adds tremendous value to our Internet service. Now, our customers can stay connected when they travel with free access to Boingo Hotspots in major airports and other popular locations around the country,” said Rob Cerbone, VP of mobile products for Time Warner (News - Alert) Cable.

It’s a solid move for the cable giant, which increasingly relies on revenue from broadband access as its cable services face competition from online streaming content providers like Netflix, Amazon and Hulu (News - Alert).

The two companies plan to complete a Passpoint-enabled integration later this year so customers can connect seamlessly and securely with their Passpoint-certified devices and account credentials.

Boingo customers aren’t left out of the deal, which gives them access to more than 35,000 TWC Wi-Fi hotspots in cities from New York to Los Angeles. Boingo Unlimited subscribers reportedly can take advantage of the Time Warner Cable hotspots in Los Angeles, New York, Austin, Kansas City, Charlotte, Myrtle Beach and Hawaii.

Boingo customers must use the Boingo Wi-Finder app to connect to Time Warner Cable hotspots, and monthly subscribers will be able to use a Passpoint profile to enable automatic, secure access once the Passpoint integration is complete later this year.

TWC said the new Boingo hotspots covered by the agreement have been added to its Wi-Fi coverage map, and will soon be added to the TWC Finder app.

The two companies are both members of the Wireless Broadband Alliance and are participating in the Next Generation Hotspot trials, which is developing a secure hotspot network designed to offload traffic from mobile broadband networks.


Edited by Rory J. Thompson