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Comcast Ramping Up Wireless Ambitions
So much for Roberts not liking the 'quadruple play'

This morning we broke the news that Comcast will no longer be offering Pivot wireless service with Sprint. GigaOM has learned that one reason for the move (aside from the fact nobody was buying it) is that Comcast is busy building their own wireless division, which would clearly make the Pivot effort redundant. Comcast has apparently hired former CTO of Telefonica O2 Europe, Dave Williams, as the unit’s CTO.


Comcast was a no show last month when an expected plan to fund Sprint's Xohm service never materialized. Comcast CEO Brian Roberts has also traditionally proclaimed that he doesn't think the quadruple play (adding wireless to VoIP, data and video) would work. Meanwhile, Comcast stock has taken a beating the last few years by investors who were afraid that a massive wireless expenditure was on the horizon.

In other words, there's a lot of unanswered questions here still. Comcast could be creating a mobile WiMax Xohm-reseller (most likely). They could be preparing a buyout of another wireless carrier. They could be just starting the long road of building their own wireless network from scratch (probably the least likely). We'd ask Comcast insiders to keep their ear to the ground over the next several months and drop us a line should they hear more.
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Matt3
All noise, no signal.
Premium Member
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC

Matt3

Premium Member

Alltel?

Hrmmm, I wonder if Comcast has the cash to buy Alltel?

Alltel would be a good target because then Comcast would also have the roaming agreements with Sprint/Verizon. Bam, instant Nationwide coverage.

supergirl
join:2007-03-20
Pensacola, FL

supergirl

Member

Re: Alltel?

said by Matt3:

Hrmmm, I wonder if Comcast has the cash to buy Alltel?

Alltel would be a good target because then Comcast would also have the roaming agreements with Sprint/Verizon. Bam, instant Nationwide coverage.
The investment group that bought Alltel Wireless isn't selling. It's a big gold mine for them.

morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000

morbo

Member

Re: Alltel?

i think wireless phone service in general is a big goldmine for most providers. fees and add-ons galore!

supergirl
join:2007-03-20
Pensacola, FL

supergirl

Member

Brian Roberts is probably saying that so he could dump...

Sprint. Wall Street wants to fire CEO Immelt of GE for not spinning off divisions not making cash or enough cash. I seriously doubt Roberts can fund this gig even with Daddy's (and Brian's) huge stock holdings.
flyingjoey
join:2005-11-07
Jersey City, NJ

1 edit

flyingjoey

Member

Re: Brian Roberts is probably saying that so he could dump...

Well, GE numbers weren't that impressive, but there are divisions within the company which are constantly growing and more so building profits for the parent company (GE). I happen to work for GE's Media & Entertainment division... We're making money over here that's for sure.

BabyBear
Keep wise ...with Nite-Owl
join:2007-01-11

1 edit

BabyBear

Member

Dropped calls leader?

Will they try any of their "funny stuff" on cell phone calls like they do on their broadband connections?

We shall see, though it certainly wouldn't suprise me.

If they keep adding services it wont be too long to where people are writing out a monthly check to Comcast for more money than they are paying on a car payment and for some maybe even rent. Shesh.

Chiyo
Save Me Konata-Chan
Premium Member
join:2003-02-20
Salisbury, NC
·Hotwire Communic..

Chiyo

Premium Member

Re: Dropped calls leader?

I'm scared to see the pricing, I mean they are the sports car of the internet and the prices are pretty darn high so what is their sports car of wireless going to cost?

also are all the phones going to have a large C on them to let everyone know you are using Comcast.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

1 edit

FFH5

Premium Member

GigaOM claim Comcast Wireless is they hired wireless exec

Looks like the GigaOM news tip that Comcast is starting up a Wireless division is based purely on the fact that they hired an executive with wireless experience. It doesn't look like it is based on any other info.

MAYBE Comcast hired a wireless exec to cut a sharing deal with an existing wireless provider. Or it could be that they are just planning on leasing out capacity on their fiber backbones in many cities to a Wimax or cell tower company for backhaul purposes.

It just doesn't look GigaOM has enough evidence to leap to the conclusion that Comcast is starting up their own wireless division.

jt45
@comcast.net

jt45

Anon

Re: GigaOM claim Comcast Wireless is they hired wireless exec

i agree with you. i have not seen any evidence that they are building one and i work for them.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

said by FFH5:

Looks like the GigaOM news tip that Comcast is starting up a Wireless division is based purely on the fact that they hired an executive with wireless experience. It doesn't look like it is based on any other info.
Looks like GigaOM has MODIFIED their story from that originally posted:
»gigaom.com/2008/04/23/co ··· ireless/
Hot on the heels of a report that Comcast will no longer offer Sprint’s wireless service through Pivot, GigaOM has learned that the cable company is creating its own wireless division and has hired the former CTO of Telefonica O2 Europe, Dave Williams, as the unit’s CTO SVP of wireless and technology strategy to “explore wireless options” for Comcast, according to the company. Williams apparently took on the role earlier this month, although no announcement has been made to that effect and Comcast has not responded to a request for comment.

A WiMAX joint venture, a buyout of Sprint or T-Mobile, or perhaps some crazy satellite scheme could justify the creation of wireless division at Comcast be some of the “options” Comcast is exploring.

tc1uscg
join:2005-03-09
Gulfport, MS

tc1uscg to FFH5

Member

to FFH5
With the stocks doing as WELL as they are, did anyone entertain the thought of people make these "claims" just to see if they can "manipulate" the price? Look at big oil. When the prices don't seem to be going the direction of up.. someone "invents" a reason and up they go. When experts were saying the u.s. had PLENTY of fuel, all refineries were churning away, the price drops a couple of pennies at the pump. When experts say, there will be less demand due to less driving this spring/summer season, price stays level. Someone comes out and "speculates" there might NOW be more demand and BAM.. up it goes. No data to back it up, just speculation. So, investors here what they want to hear, as long as it's more money, faster, in their pockets.
kelso2
join:2007-04-06
Ashburn, VA

kelso2

Member

Foreplay not Quadruple play

Doesn't foreplay make more sense instead of quadruple play.
It would imply some excitement before realizing that you are simply being screwed by Comcast.
ISurfTooMuch
join:2007-04-23
Tuscaloosa, AL

ISurfTooMuch

Member

Re: Foreplay not Quadruple play

I think anyone who is currently a Comcast customer already knows they're getting screwed.

I like my wireless service just fine, thank you. I see no reason to switch to a company known for gouging its customers just so I can get everything on one bill.

And where, exactly, will Comcast get a wireless network? I don't see AT&T or VZW selling out or cutting a deal with them. They have no reason to do that, since both companies are doing quite well and often compete with Comcast. Sprint? Comcast just bailed out of Pivot, so the only option left is for them to buy Sprint. T-Mobile? Maybe, but there haven't been any rumors of such a partnership. Alltel? They're focused on rural areas, and they don't have licenses in many large cities. USCC? Again, limited licenses.

I dunno, maybe Comcast will go on a buying binge and snap up USCC, MetroPCS, Cricket, and possibly Alltel. Put all those networks together using lots of string, duct tape, and bubble gum, and you might have something.

Hehe
@ssa.gov

Hehe

Anon

No p2p calls alowed?

No p2p calls alowed?
eakenn
join:2005-02-20
Knoxville, IA

eakenn

Member

They have AWS spectrum

They don't need to buy anyone....they won quite a few licenses in the AWS auction last year:

»wireless.fcc.gov/auction ··· cls3.pdf

Look for "SpectrumCo LLC"

»www.multichannel.com/art ··· 470.html

They're going to build their own network.
CMoore2004
Premium Member
join:2003-02-06
Jonesville, MI

CMoore2004

Premium Member

Hmmm

If I had Comcast wireless, I'd be worried that Comcast would intercept the call in some offshore office, tell the person calling me that he has the wrong number, and then hang up. In the event it actually is a wrong number, I'm pretty sure everyone knows it'd be an advertisement.
lundberry
join:2007-11-27
Duluth, MN

lundberry

Member

comcast towers near here

I don't know if this says anything but for whatever reason Comcast has wireless towers in my area. What is sad is we don't even have comcast servicing any of the markets near here. I heard about them having copper wire stolen from the tower and I listened like three times and it was definitely a comcast tower
tmc8080
join:2004-04-24
Brooklyn, NY

tmc8080

Member

Aspects..

Comcast has become more seriously interested in wireless not simply the voice aspect, but the wireless broadband aspect as well. Verizon is committing 20 billion over the next few years to deploying wireless broadband on top of it's existing broad spectrum licenses it already owns. Comcast doesn't want to be left behind when the mobile broadband train leaves the station... that said, Verizon is engaging in a highly speculative move that wireless broadband will be a cash cow in the future..

I don't see any details about a commitment to 3g, 4g, lte, or wimax as of yet so we'll have to wait and see on that. Comcast still needs spectrum into wireless.. they should do it on the sly.. much like Vodafone did to Verizon.. stuck their claws in for the long haul.. (investment) Now, if you have been following trends, that would mean a huge cash infusion into said company..since there's already bad blood between Comcast & Sprint, that leaves T-Mobile.