Roberts: Wi-Fi Could Be Retention, Revenue Tool

Comcast Chairman and CEO Brian Roberts said that Wi-Fi could be used as both a retention tool and revenue generator in the not too distant future. Roberts said that the explosion in Wi-Fi usage has been a boon for cable high-speed data offerings, which usually offer the service as a free add-on to cable customers. Roberts estimated that about 70% of all data usage goes across Wi-Fi networks. Asked where he envisioned the cable business would be headed in the next three to five years, the Comcast chief said he had no crystal ball, but guessed it would involve products and services built to take advantage of the Wi-Fi network.