Comcast Drops More Wi-Fi Strategy Hints

Comcast is keeping its future wireless plans under wraps, but executives did drop hints that the operator working on new strategies and product ideas that prefer Wi-Fi connectivity and use cellular networks as a backup – a growing service category typically labeled as “WiFi-first".

Comcast has already deployed about 8.3 million Wi-Fi hotspots -- through a mix of rollouts in public venues, business locations and in home-side gateways. “We’re working on how we monetize that [Wi-Fi] asset and bring it to market,” Neil Smit, president and CEO of Comcast Cable, said. “We do believe in the asset and [are] working on ways on bringing it to market in the coming months.” He said Comcast would make further announcements on its plans “when we have the product well-defined and developed.”