Five major US cable companies have joined forces today to offer subscribers access to over 50,000 hotspots. Known as "CableWiFi," the new hotspot service will allow high-speed Internet customers of Bright House Networks, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox Communications and Time Warner Cable to access metro Wi-Fi networks. CableWiFi launched for New York City and central Florida residents earlier this month, with Bright House Networks and Cablevision taking part — but the service is set to expand elsewhere shortly.

Over the coming months, the CableWiFi network will be rolled out to each of the cable companies' branded Wi-Fi hotspots, creating a single wireless network for cable subscribers to use. We had heard of mobile operators looking towards public Wi-Fi as a way to meet demand, but cable operators also feel Wi-Fi is the best approach for mobile data too. "Cable providers are best positioned to build the highest-capacity national network offering customers fast and reliable Internet connections," said Nomi Bergman, President of Bright House Networks.