Why Did Cox Fail at Wireless?

Why Didn't Cox Try Femtocells Inside of DVR's or UMA WiFi Cell Service?

Cable operators can fix indoor wireless service through their own backhaul via femtocells or WiFi through their own networks.  There are a handful of femtocell companies that Cox could have partnered with but the best might have been Kineto which offers UMA WiFi for cell phone calls.  Will Cox change their marketing strategy as a new MVNO partner with Sprint selling Sprint femtocells?  

Cox Communications, a major cable and internet service provider in the United States, entered the wireless market in 2009 with the launch of its own wireless service. However, Cox eventually decided to discontinue its wireless operations and shut down its wireless network. While the exact reasons for Cox's failure in the wireless market may involve a combination of factors, here are a few potential reasons:

Competitive Landscape: The wireless market in the United States is highly competitive, dominated by major nationwide carriers such as Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint (now part of T-Mobile). These carriers have extensive infrastructure, large customer bases, and significant resources to invest in network expansion and marketing. Entering such a competitive market can be challenging for a new player like Cox.

Limited Network Coverage: Building and maintaining a robust wireless network requires significant investment in infrastructure, including cell towers, backhaul connections, and network equipment. Cox's wireless network had limited coverage compared to the nationwide networks of established carriers. Limited coverage can be a disadvantage, especially for customers who prioritize extensive coverage and network reliability.

Lack of Subscriber Base Synergy: Cox primarily focused on providing cable and internet services and did not have an existing subscriber base of wireless customers to leverage. Established carriers often bundle wireless services with other offerings, such as cable TV or home internet, to provide additional value to their customers. Without a substantial customer base in wireless, Cox may have faced challenges in attracting and retaining wireless subscribers.

Evolving Technological Landscape: The wireless industry is constantly evolving, with advancements in network technology and the introduction of new services and features. Keeping up with these advancements requires substantial investment and technical expertise. Cox may have faced difficulties in competing and adapting to the rapidly changing landscape of the wireless industry.

It's important to note that the specific internal factors that led to Cox's decision to exit the wireless market may not be publicly disclosed. The decision to discontinue wireless operations is often based on a combination of financial, strategic, and market considerations specific to the company.

Ultimately, each company's success or failure in the wireless market depends on various factors, including market dynamics, competitive positioning, network coverage, subscriber base, and overall business strategy.

What Is Super WiFi?

"Super WiFi" typically referred to a concept or proposal to use the unlicensed portions of the radio spectrum, primarily the unused or underutilized TV spectrum known as TV white spaces, to provide wireless broadband connectivity over longer distances and with better penetration through obstacles compared to traditional WiFi.

The idea behind Super WiFi is to leverage these lower-frequency bands to create wide-area wireless networks that can cover larger geographical areas and potentially provide internet access in rural and remote regions. By using lower frequencies, Super WiFi can have better signal propagation characteristics, making it suitable for reaching areas where traditional WiFi signals might struggle due to distance and obstructions.

However, it's important to note that as of my last update, Super WiFi had not become a widely deployed or standardized technology in the United States. Various technical, regulatory, and commercial challenges needed to be addressed before any large-scale implementation could occur.