By Steve Kabelowsky Contributing Columnist Published Dec 19, 2014 at 3:13 PM

Time Warner Cable customers who do a lot of travel – especially by way of General Mitchell airport here in the city – may want to check out the new roaming Internet access service.

Time Warner Cable (TWC) teamed up with Boingo Wireless to launch Passpoint roaming access, allowing secure wifi network connections in thousands of locations throughout the U.S.

The service, in use now at 25 of the busiest airports, is available for TWC Internet customers whe also subscribe to Boingo. The new web surfing option was announced this week.

"Passpoint technology provides significant value to our customers. Our Passpoint roaming integration with Boingo will keep our users connected to this advanced technology during their travels, helping us provide maximum wireless security to our TWC Internet consumers when they’re surfing the Internet out of home," Rob Cerbone, VP of Wireless Product Management for Time Warner Cable, said in a statement.

Boingo subscribers can access thousands of TWC Passpoint-enabled hotspots in cities such as New York, Austin and Kansas City. The service will expand to additional cities including Los Angeles and Charlotte in early 2015. Boingo customers currently have access to TWC’s more than 60,000 hotspots in major cities across the U.S.

"The launch of reciprocal Passpoint roaming in the U.S. marks a significant milestone for the wireless industry, but more importantly it makes the best possible WiFi connectivity experience available to even more customers in key locations throughout the U.S.," said Dr. Derek Peterson, Boingo Wireless chief technology officer. "Our partnership with TWC gives our customers truly widespread access to simple, seamless and secure WiFi in key markets nationwide."

Boingo’s Passpoint-enabled hotspots and TWC wifi connections use WPA2 enterprise-grade encryption technology. The roaming experience is similar to how cell phone networks roam now.

To get access, TWC customers should download the TWC wifi Finder app from the Apple App Store, which will then allow them to provision a Passpoint profile on their iOS (Apple-based) device. Their device will then be able to connect to TWCWiFi-Passpoint and Boingo "Passpoint Secure" networks.

NEW ADDITION: During its special one-night, 2-hour television event, NBC’s "The Sing-Off  Season 5 Holiday Special," the show revealed that this season’s contestants, The Exchange, will join VoicePlay and Street Corner Symphony on the live tour. The Exchange, who met on season three of "The Sing-Off," will perform on all 55 dates.

"The tour will offer the ultimate a cappella experience, giving fans of the show a unique opportunity to see their favorite groups perform live, and fans of a cappella music an evening of some of the country’s top talent," show representatives said in a release.

"In addition to headlining talent, each concert will feature local a cappella groups to open the show, allowing fans the chance to discover top local talent as well. Stay tuned for more news on the local a cappella groups who will take the stage in your market."

Tickets are available for the 8 p.m., March 28 show at The Riverside.

LITTLE PLACES: FYI is launching "Tiny House Hunting" next week. It is a new series that follows families looking for homes 500 square feet or less. The the series premiere follows a couple looking for homes in Northern Wisconsin.

"Gus and Kyle are always on the go juggling busy careers and social lives in Boston but crave a luxury getaway in Northern Wisconsin," the release said.

The show will air at 9 p.m. on Monday night.

"This couple is on the hunt for a tiny vacation home along the shores of Lake Superior in Northern Wisconsin, where they can escape their hectic lifestyle to enjoy the natural surroundings and quality time with each other."

John Weisbarth and Zack Giffin travel across America to show off ingenious small spaces and the innovative people who live in them. "Tiny House Hunting" follows on the heels of FYI’s series "Tiny House Nation." 

Steve Kabelowsky Contributing Columnist

Media is bombarding us everywhere.

Instead of sheltering his brain from the onslaught, Steve embraces the news stories, entertainment, billboards, blogs, talk shows and everything in between.

The former writer, editor and producer in TV, radio, Web and newspapers, will be talking about what media does in our community and how it shapes who we are and what we do.