NEW YORK -- Verizon is giving some of its home broadband customers free access to thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots in airports and other public places, taking a page from competitors that already offer wireless Internet access.

The offer excludes Verizon Communications Inc. customers on the cheapest DSL and FiOS Internet plans.

To use a hotspot, the customer must install software that works only on computers with Windows Vista or XP installed. Phones, iPods and Macintosh computers with Wi-Fi can't access the hotspots.

Verizon is buying Wi-Fi access from Boingo Wireless Inc.

Cablevision System Corp. has a Wi-Fi network in the New York area. AT&T Inc. also operates a wide network of Wi-Fi hotspots in public places, including restaurants.