Seeking an edge with regulators, Comcast dangles the idea of a Wi-Fi-first mobile network

[Commentary] The Comcast-Time Warner deal may not do anything to spur competition in broadband, but it might give consumers additional options for connecting their smartphones, tablets and laptops.

In its 180-page merger filing with the Federal Communications Commission, Comcast confirmed what we’ve suspected all along: it’s weighing using its growing footprint of wireless home gateways and outdoor hotspots to create a “Wi-Fi-first” network that could both complement and supplant the carriers’ 4G data networks.

Comcast didn’t say whether it is considering offering such a hybrid mobile service itself or selling Wi-Fi access capacity to carriers, who could use it to amp up speeds and capacity available in cities and other high-demand areas. Comcast didn’t go into any details about what such a Wi-Fi network would look like, and there’s the chance this all could be a ruse. Comcast could just be holding out the carrot of a 4G alternative to convince regulators to approve the deal.