Cox Communications is doing a lot to make sure its broadband services are up to speed, literally. First, in an interview with Multichannel News’ Todd Spangler, Cox SVP Jay Rolls talks about upgrades to 1 GHz, DOCSIS 3.0 and switched digital video deployments. On the 1 GHz front, Rolls acknowledges, “we’re well past the halfway point.” He also points out something interesting about upgrading modems to take advantage of the additional spectrum. Namely, Cox has to roll out new CPE for DOCSIS 3.0 anyway, so it makes sense to get the benefit of the 1 GHz upgrade at the same time.
As I wrote earlier in the year, Cox has decided to delay its transition to all-digital systems, which has its pros and cons. But with the triple whammy of 1 GHz, DOCSIS 3.0 and SDV, the cableco certainly has the bandwidth situation well in hand. Rolls believes the combination of technologies should cover Cox’s bandwidth needs for the next decade.
On the wireless front, meanwhile, Cox has mobile broadband plans that include using Sprint’s network in the short term, and its own 3G and 4G networks in the years to come. The roadmap includes LTE trials using the 700 MHz spectrum Cox bought at auction earlier this year. Light Reading quotes Cox president Pat Esser:
Wireless service will be a key driver to Cox’s future growth… We’ve already invested more than $500 million to acquire wireless spectrum and to develop the infrastructure and human resources needed to architect our own advanced wireless service.
Filed under: Bandwidth, Cable, LTE, Networks, Wireless | 5 Comments »
