Comcast (News - Alert) is now setting up millions of Wi-Fi access points for U.S. subscribers to its Xfinity service through their houses.

A new wireless gateway broadcasts two Wi-Fi signals. One is for the home subscriber only, while the second can be shared in the neighborhood.

“The newest wireless gateway broadcasts an additional ‘xfinitywifi’ signal (SSID) in the customer’s home that is completely separate and distinct from the family’s private and secure home Wi-Fi signal,” the company said in a statement. The SSID is offered to Xfinity Internet residential customers at no additional cost.

Last year, Comcast tested these hotspots in neighborhoods in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and the metro Washington, D.C., region, and now they are being offered in select areas.

For example, Xfinity Wi-Fi is available in close to 3,800 hotspots in Washington, D.C., such as in:  Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill, Chinatown, Dupont Circle, Eastern Market, Foggy Bottom, Georgetown and the U Street Corridor. The service is also available in Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Rockville, Gaithersburg and Silver Spring in Maryland, and Arlington, Old Town Alexandria, Reston, Manassas and Woodbridge in Virginia.

Under the new approach, Comcast will see tens of thousands of Xfinity Wi-Fi access points through the CableWiFi Alliance. In turn, Xfinity Internet customers will gain access to more than 150,000 indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi hotspots in several cities.  

"Wi-Fi is at the center of our strategy to offer our customers the best online experience, whether it’s the fastest Wi-Fi experience in the home, or a fast and reliable Wi-Fi environment outside the home," said Tom Nagel, senior vice president of Business Development, Comcast Cable. "Wi-Fi is an important part of our strategy to be the place where customers connect all devices, anywhere and at any time."

Comcast, which has almost 20 million customers, is combining Wi-Fi speeds with Xfinity apps, home control technology and Internet-enabled services.

"Our customers continue to look for ways to communicate and access their entertainment with wireless devices, including the tens of thousands of TV shows and movies available on Xfinity TV platforms," Alan Clairmont, regional vice president of Sales and Marketing for Comcast, said in a statement carried by TMCnet. "Xfinity WiFi (News - Alert) gives our customers free access to thousands of hotspots where they can stay connected and surf online anywhere and at any time."