Cable giant Comcast is a bidder in upcoming 600 MHz spectrum auction
Comcast continues to make moves that signal a possible future entrance in the mobile carrier space. In the latest, the Philadelphia-based MSO has reportedly created a new mobile division and shuffled executives to support the new business.
As originally reported by Multichannel News, Greg Butz, former EVP of sales and marketing, will head the new mobile unit, while EVP and chief network officer John Schanz and EVP and cable chief financial officer Cathy Avgiris are both being transitioned to new positions.
Adding to the mobile emphasis is long-held speculation that Comcast could leverage its extensive network of Wi-Fi hot spots, both public and in subscribers homes, to launch a mobile virtual network operator play.
Further, in October Comcast notified Verizon Wireless that it plans to activate a years old agreement to use the carrier’s spectrum.
Verizon Wireless made a deal with several cable companies back in 2012 in which they agreed to a $3.6 billion deal to buy spectrum from Comcast, Time Warner and Bright House Networks. As part of the deal,each of the cable companies was provided “with the option, after approximately four years, to become resellers of Verizon Wireless’s services.” The deal also required Verizon Wireless to sell some spectrum to T-Mobile U.S. to avoid anti-competition concerns.
James Ratcliffe, a telecom analyst with Buckingham Research Group, told Philly.com, “It’s a high probability that they are getting into wireless. And they are looking to do it organically and not with an acquisition.”
