We all know the “Big Three” wireless carriers — AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile — dominate the mobile space, but Dave Watson, the CEO of Comcast’s Connectivity and Platforms unit, thinks cable is disrupting the long-standing pyramid of wireless giants.Watson pictures cable as the nation’s “fourth carrier” in telecom as the industry has transitioned into the wireless space to combat prolonged subscriber loss as fiber and 5G expansion has ramped up.Watson shared his thoughts at the SCTE Tech Expo in September 2025.
Historically, cable providers focused on delivering cable TV and internet services — and they still do.Now, cable providers have faced a dwindling subscriber base in the last few years.After a pandemic subscriber spike and subsequent drop after the Affordable Connectivity Program (which provided discounted or free internet to low-income customers) was discontinued, cable companies have charged full steam ahead on expansion efforts and are committing to mobile wireless growth in the hopes of balancing out broadband subscriber loss.
Comcast and Charter lead the charge Comcast and Charter (Xfinity and Spectrum) are two of the largest cable companies that have been investing in wireless services for years now, centering offers and bundles around mobile to attract customers to cheaper prices and convenient bundled services.They both offer mobile services as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) using Verizon’s network.This means that Xfinity and Spectrum offer their own mobile plans, but use Verizon’s established 4G LTE and 5G networks to deliver mobile service to their customers.
Both Xfinity and Spectrum now also hold agreements with two of the three major wireless carriers and have expanded into a new area of mobile business wireless, following the recent MVNO deal with T-Mobile to deliver mobile services to businesses over T-Mobile’s 5G network.According to Watson, Comcast sees $80 billion in market opportunities for broadband and double that amount with wireless factored in.He also hinted that Comcast is just “scratching the surface” with business wireless services in the wake of its MVNO deal with T-Mobile.
Xfinity executives aren’t the only ones anticipating cable’s bigger role in the wireless space. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr noted that cable companies are “taking a higher percentage share of new mobile wireless subscribers than mobile wireless companies.” What’s next for cable? Shifting strategies – Cable broadband isn’t going away, but expect cable companies like Xfinity and Spectrum to continue shifting their strategies to grow their respective mobile businesses New plans and pricing – Both Xfinity and Spectrum have unveiled new plans and pricing in the last year, including Xfinity’s Unlimited Premium mobile plan and Spectrum’s wide array of bundles and promotions for its mobile services Mobile bundling promos – To attract new and existing broadband customers, Xfinity and Spectrum will continue to offer bundled services, as evident in the frequent mobile promotional offers that accompany the sign-up process What does this mean for you? For starters, cheap mobile plans.Since cable companies don’t actually own or maintain the mobile networks they offer services through, they can offer mobile plans at a much lower cost than traditional wireless carriers like AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.It also means that you can expect bundles to remain a high-selling point for cable providers.
If you are a new or existing cable broadband customer, don’t be surprised if you see promotions offering you a free or discounted mobile line for one year when you sign up.Despite cable companies’ growing determination to accelerate mobile services, they’re still far behind Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, which each have over 100 million wireless customers and their own fiber and 5G broadband services.The major carriers don’t worry about cable encroaching on their territory, since existing wireless customers are unlikely to drop their current plan in favor of a bundled service with a cable provider, especially if they are already happy with their current internet service.
The carriers also get paid regardless of the deals cable providers offer with their mobile plans.If Xfinity offers a free line with internet, they still have to pay Verizon for it, according to Verizon’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Tony Skiadas.Once fiber broadband can catch up to cable’s widespread availability, cable companies will struggle to compete against fiber internet providers, too, so we can expect more expansion from cable mobile in the coming years to keep cable an active player in the telecom field.
Explore cable mobile options If you’re looking to add mobile to your existing cable service or are a new customer looking to bundle, explore the mobile options from top cable providers: ISPPriceData# of lines5G Availability Xfinity$20.00 – $50.00 per line1 GB to UnlimitedUp to 10IncludedMust have Xfinity internet Spectrum$20.00 – $40.00 per line*1 GB to unlimitedUp to 10IncludedMust have Spectrum internet Optimum$15.00 – $55.00 per line1 GB to unlimitedUp to 5IncludedSurcharge for non-Altice internet customers Cox$30.00 – $45.00 per line1 GBUp to 5IncludedMust be a Cox internet customer *Limited time offer; subject to change; offer applies to qualified residential customers without any outstanding obligation to Spectrum.Mobile devices excluded from offer.Offer valid for new customers adding lines or for current mobile customers adding lines to existing service.
BY THE GIG: $20 advanced monthly charge for each line of service per GB.An additional $5 automatically applied if each GB exceeded.After 5 GB per line, you will experience reduced speeds for the rest of bill cycle.
UNLIMITED: Reduced speeds after 30 GB of usage per line, 5 GB for Mobile Hotspots.UNLIMITED PLUS: Unlimited Plus lines charged an extra $10/month.Reduced speeds after 50 GB of usage per line, 10 GB for Mobile Hotspots.
Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change.Not available in all areas.Per line activation fee, Spectrum Internet and Auto Pay required.
Restrictions apply.2025 Charter Communications, all rights reserved.Updated as of 12/04/25.Enter your ZIP code to view internet & mobile plans available near you Make sure to check our news and resource hubs for recent broadband industry developments and information.
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