Read the original story on: Gigaom
Cablevision is reportedly launching a WiFi-based phone service next month, hoping to leverage its Optimal Wi-Fi hotspots and existing customers into the growing mobile market. Freewheel, as the new service is called, will cost Cablevision costumers $9.95 a month ($29.95 for non-subscribers) for unlimited call, text, and data, which gives it a significant advantage over the usual carrier plans.
While the price might be quite attractive, the caveat remains that users won’t be able to do much unless they are connected to WiFi, since there is no cellular service to fall back on. It could work well in areas with a high density of mobile hotspots, such as college campuses and metropolitan cities. Outside those areas though, traditional carriers are probably the safer bet.
