YOU ARE AT:Archived ArticlesComcast adds wireless to video distribution, mum on spectrum plans

Comcast adds wireless to video distribution, mum on spectrum plans

Comcast Corp. will unveil a new multi-screen platform that will allow content to be distributed via TV, online and through wireless devices.

The new platform will initially provide Halloween-related content such as horror movies when it is launched on Tuesday, according to remarks by John Alchin, executive vice president and co-chief financial officer for Comcast. Dubbed “FearNet,” the service will be available through the company’s video-on-demand service and Web site and through wireless devices.

The company did not offer details on the wireless portion of the service.

As far as Comcast’s participation in a coalition of cable companies and Sprint Nextel Corp. during the recent advanced wireless services spectrum auction, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer, Brian Roberts, said that the spectrum purchase “gives us great flexibility and optionality on a nationwide basis with other cable partners.”

He said that about 99 percent of Comcast’s cable territories are covered with 20 megahertz of spectrum.

Asked about the potential uses for the spectrum, Roberts would say only that “when we’re ready and have something meaningful to say there, we will. At this point, we really viewed it as a strategic opportunity to put some capital into the spectrum. That allows us to now engage in a variety of conversations to see what are the best technologies, when is the best timetable. As we’ve said, we really want to see what consumers want, and we’re going to explore that.”

ABOUT AUTHOR