Comcast may be looking to establish itself as a wireless carrier, if word on the street is to be believed. Apparently the company is in early stages of building a wireless service that would mainly use Wi-Fi network to function. In this case the service would be quite similar to Republic Wireless, which already offers a Wi-Fi / cellular hybrid service in the U.S.
A report from The Information claims that Comcast is going to use Wi-Fi from public hotspots and wireless routes to hands most of its services. In areas where Wi-Fi coverage is available, the service would tap into it. But if Wi-Fi coverage is unavailable, the service will automatically switch to spectrum that may be leased from large carriers such as Verizon or AT&T.
Republic Wireless already uses this method, which allows it to price plans as low as $5 per month, plus it has been around long enough to work out the kinks in Wi-Fi to cell handoff. Comcast will need to battle with these challenges initially should it launch a wireless phone service. Comcast doesn’t necessarily have to pit itself against major U.S. carriers to make it in this business.
Its retail locations and customer service centers already provide it with a nationwide presence, the company can lean on these resources if it launches a wireless phone service. Though it may be a tricky time for Comcast to pursue this, given that it has its hands full with the Time Warner Cable acquisition bid.
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