Cablevision Sues Verizon Over Wi-Fi Ads

Just days after Cablevision Systems introduced Freewheel, a Wi-Fi-only voice, text and data product for smartphones, the operator said it has filed a suit against Verizon that calls for Verizon to put a halt to advertisements that, Cablevision alleges, make “false, misleading and deceptive advertising claims about Wi-Fi service.”

In exhibits tied to the complaint, Cablevision cites several Verizon ads claiming that FiOS has “the fastest Wi-Fi available from any provider, period.” Verizon’s claim that it has faster Wi-Fi than Cablevision is false, deceptive and designed to mislead consumers,” Cablevision said. “Verizon has no public Wi-Fi network. In addition, Verizon’s in-home routers are not faster than Optimum Smart Routers and cost Verizon customers hundreds of dollars while Optimum’s are free." A Verizon spokesperson responded by saying, "We have not seen the lawsuit but this is a boldface ploy to promote Cablevision’s latest wireless gambit. A third party has tested and validated the FiOS Quantum Gateway Router. It offers the fastest in-home Wi-Fi available from any provider. As usual, Cablevision is confusing consumers by using apples to oranges comparisons, in this case of in-home and public Wi-Fi.”