Prediction 6: Cox will launch wireless but traction with consumers will be limited - 2009 Predictions

Cox Communications is plotting a bold wireless move in 2009.  The cable operator, which won AWS and 700 MHz spectrum, plans to launch wireless services in some of its cable footprint in 2009. Cox has been cagey about the specifics of its offering, but has indicated it will be selling wireless as part of a bundle and that it will launch 3G wireless, with plans to migrate to 4G at a later date. 

Of course, this isn't the first time Cox has made a foray into wireless. Cox was part of the failed Pivot joint venture [1] with Comcast, Cox, Time Warner Cable, Advance/Newhouse and Sprint Nextel. Pivot, which was envisioned as the wireless service arm for the cable ops to offer a quad-play to consumers, met its demise in April. Reportedly the service had provisioning issues and was met with lackluster demand.

In an interview with Stephen Bye, Cox's wireless vice president [2], FierceWireless learned that Cox intends to build on the Pivot experience but also learn from its mistakes--meaning it will have complete control of the infrastructure. We think that if cable operators want to succeed in the highly competitive wireless market, they will have to offer something truly revolutionary and we are skeptical about Cox's ability to do that.