LTE trials reinforce Cox's wireless plans

Cox Communications Inc.’s announcement this week that it had completed trials of voice calls and high-definition video streaming over a LTE network was an important step for the cable television giant as it prepares to enter the highly competitive mobile space.
Unlike many of its cable brethren that are partnering with an established operator to offer service, Cox is taking the responsibility of building out and operating their own wireless network. Working with infrastructure partners Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. and Alcatel-Lucent, as well as a number of back office partners, Cox looks to be on the leading edge of the wireless industry’s move beyond 3G services.
“It was very important for us to make the announcement as there have been lots of questions about our migration path to 4G,” said Stephen Bye, vice president of Cox’s wireless operations.
Domestically Verizon Wireless and MetroPCS Communications Inc. are thought to be leading the way in LTE deployments with both carriers saying they plan on launching networks in some form or fashion this year. AT&T Mobility has said it plans to begin trials in 2011.
“We will continue testing LTE, but we can see that the ecosystem is well on its way,” Bye said. “The technology is moving much quicker than many had expected. Other players globally are really pushing LTE and its starting to show in the support we are seeing.”
The video streaming trial is expected to be an integral part of Cox’s eventual wireless plans as analysts have linked the company’s rich, cable television offering with the ability to stream content to mobile devices.
“We are clearly very interested in doing voice and data on LTE as part of our overall approach to bundled services,” Bye said.
CDMA remains important
Despite the obvious momentum gained by the LTE announcement, Cox is still very confident in its CDMA plans and expects the technology to be at the core of its planned wireless service launch later this year.
“CDMA is still a very capable technology and has a strong ecosystem that will be out there for some time,” Bye said.
One advantage Cox is finding with its network partners is that some of the new CDMA-based equipment is being produced with LTE migration in mind, which should ease the transition between the two disparate technologies.
“Interoperability between CDMA and LTE is something we have been working towards for some time,” Bye said. “Huawei’s 3G network technology is great because it’s 4G ready.”
Cox’s CDMA network will also have an advantage of greater coverage through both its own deployments as well as through established roaming agreements that will allow Cox wireless customers to have service across the country.
However, like current CDMA roaming agreements, Bye said he expects LTE network operators to also rely heavily on such agreements as they begin rolling out their networks.
“With 4G it will be interesting to see how the market unfolds,” Bye said. “It will be interesting to see how roaming agreements unfold. I would be surprised if there are not roaming agreements between the LTE players. It takes time to build out sufficient network coverage and roaming agreements will make sense for initial deployments.”
Syniverse snares CDMA deal
In connection with Cox’s successful trial announcement, Syniverse Technologies said it was selected by Cox to provide a suite of mobile messaging, roaming and network solutions to the company’s CDMA network. Syniverse said it will also continue to support Cox’s SS7 class services.