Cable provider Comcast (NSDQ: CMCSA) is testing a free WiFi service for its cable customers at around 100 New Jersey Transit commuter rail stations and parking lots, reports Broadband Reports. The country’s largest cable operator launched the trial on Friday, after sizing up the free WiFi services from its competitor Cablevision (NYSE: CVC). Cable operators are under increasing pressure to provide consumers with wireless services, lest they defect to phone providers who can.

Indeed, the two cable rivals have been collaborating on the free services and aside from doing some technical tests, the AP reports that their partnership will allow each of the cable operators to extend the reach of their WiFi services by allowing the customers of both companies to access the other’s networks where their own coverage is unavailable. A Comcast spokesperson stressed to the newswire that the trial was still in “very early stages,” but said, if all goes well, the cable operator could launch a free WiFi offering nationwide. The service is separate from their joint venture with Clearwire (NSDQ: CLWR) to provide broadband access using WiMax networks. More on the effects on mobile on mocoNews.net...

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