Boston, MA 09/12/2014 (wallstreetpr) – One of the biggest cable company, Liberty Global plc – Class A Ordinary Shares (NASDAQ:LBTYA) and communications product and services provider Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA)’s unit have struck a deal on Wi-Fi networks to connect the users in the U.S., as well as, Europe.
Agreement On Networks
Both the companies have agreed to allow access of each other’s Wi-Fi networks for the users thus establishing a global deal to provide many customers of Xfinity Internet and Liberty Global with access to millions of additional access points, a statement from Liberty Global said. This additional Wi-Fi access points would become accessible in various countries by the next year.
This is the first global kind of alliance indicating the leadership position of both Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA), as well as, Liberty Global in Wi-Fi networks and deployment. This is quite well established by the fact that Comcast has over 3 million Xfinity Wi-Fi access points in the U.S. while Liberty has over 2.5 million Wi-Fi access points in different countries in Europe. Both the companies were also expanding their footprints aggressively.
Alternative To Cellular Data
The latest agreement would allow the users not to depend on their cellular data roaming while they visit each other countries. For instance, 11 million Americans, who were visiting Europe, would stand to benefit from the Wi-Fi access points of Liberty Global.
Similarly, 12 million people from the Europe visiting the U.S. every year would gain from Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA)’s Wi-Fi hotspots, which connect high-speed broad service. This could be the beginning of bringing international Wii-Fi connectivity to its customers.
Management Comments
Liberty Global plc – Class A Ordinary Shares (NASDAQ:LBTYA) Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Balan Nair, said that it was offering Wi-Fi service in an increasing number of countries in Europe. Therefore, the agreement would allow them to provide its European customers a fresh service in the U.S. on Xfinity Wi-Fi.
Similarly, Comcast Cable Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Tom Nagel, said that the deal would not only expand its footprint in Wi-Fi access points, but would also provide value addition to its U.S. customers.
