Cablevision’s Optimum Lightpath has begun offering its business and institutional customers the option of having the company manage their Wi-Fi networks.
The company sees an opportunity as more and more people use wireless devices at work. Not all IT departments are keeping up with the phenomenon, Optimum Lightpath noted. Unauthorized and insecure wireless routers are being connected to local networks, and organizations often also rely on outdated wireless networks.
Optimum Lightpath Managed WiFi is an infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) offering that is sold in flexible packages to meet a range of customer needs. The service requires no upfront costs and is based on flat-rate pricing, the company said.
Optimum Lightpath has partnered with information technology solutions provider Presidio to offer the product, which includes:
- Hardware – all access points, switches and controllers are provided and installed
- Multiple SSIDs – enables creation of multiple secure and separate wireless LAN identities to offer varying degrees of network access depending on who is logging into the network (e.g., employees vs. visitors, teachers vs. students, doctors vs. patients, etc.)
- Management and maintenance – all equipment is maintained and proactively monitored, with updates installed as necessary
- Customer portal – an intuitive, Web-based administrative tool that allows customers to view statistics and alerts.
“Providing reliable and secure in-building wireless network access is a major priority for a broad range of our customers,” said Julia McGrath, senior vice president of marketing and business development for Optimum Lightpath. “With Managed WiFi, we are removing the cost and management barriers that have prevented many businesses from deploying a state-of-the-art wireless data network, helping New York metro area organizations advance.”
