Today we continue the trend of cable companies offering wireless Internet services in order to gain more subscribers. Last week it was Cablevision and their heavy fourth quarter adds, which were based in large part on their Wi-Fi hotspots. Comcast, one of the nation’s largest cable providers, wants to make a similar move. Yet they might be doing it with next-gen technology. We learned over the weekend that Comcast will use Clearwire’s WiMax network in Portland to provide wireless Wbe access to its customers in the area. This is not only a good thing for Comcast subscribers, but a step forward for the adoption of WiMax networks.
Comcast COO Stephen Burke acknowledges the company’s desire to provide a more comprehensive communications service. That means granting access outside the home. Of course, in-home communications has been the focus of the cable/Internet/telephone companies for — well, basically forever. Now, though, with mobile communications on the rise companies have to adapt to new standards. “We are very interested in being able to offer a wireless component to our products,” said Burke.
This will essentially be an MVNO relationship. This means that Comcast will buy access wholesale from Clearwire and resell it to its customers. The access, though, will likely be “free,” free in quotes because the service will likely come as a throw-in for those who subscribe to TV, phone, and Internet services. It could even be valuable as a cheap add-on to basic Internet service.
This is yet another way for Clearwire to expand the WiMax revolution. They have some major competition from Verizon and AT&T with LTE, so gaining any advantage — especially when they’re the only 4G game in town — is crucial.
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