Cable MSOs Ponder The Quad Play

摘要

With MSOs firing on all cylinders with the triple-play bundle (see Q3 results, P.5), investor focus has turned to how and when cable will add wireless to the mix. Cablecos don't want to be wireless providers per se, but rather to identify the best way to untether the video, data and voice services they offer inside the home and better compete with telcos that have the wireless alternative. Operators have several options: They can build out the wireless spectrum they bought for $2.4 bil. earlier this year, which covers 90% of the U.S.; they could leverage the current relationship with Sprint to particpate in Sprint's upcoming Wi-Max build out; or (as investors are increasingly speculating) Comcast or an MSO consortium could buy Sprint or another wireless firm outright.