Charter Communications is shooting for a June 30 commercial launch of Spectrum Mobile, though the timing could change should complications arise, DSL Reports said.
DSL Reports, citing a source familiar with Charter’s plan, said it’s also expected that Charter’s initial pricing on Spectrum Mobile will “largely mirror” that of Xfinity Mobile, which currently offers unlimited and by-the-Gig options. Comcast launched Xfinity Mobile about a year ago, and ended Q1 2018 with 577,000 Xfinity Mobile customer lines.
RELATED: Comcast Adds 197K Xfinity Mobile Customer Lines in Q1
Charter isn’t commenting on the report, noting only that it will announce details as it gets closer to the launch of Spectrum Mobile.
However, the reported timing of Charter’s Spectrum Mobile launch fits with the stated plan by the MSO to launch the service by mid-year. Like Comcast’s Xfinity Mobile service, Charter’s offering will lean on an MVNO deal with Verizon Wireless.
RELATED: Small Cells to Play Big Role in Charter’s Mobile Future
Speaking on the company’s Q1 call in late April, Charter chairman and CEO noted that Charter has kicked off a field trial with 5,000 employees ahead of the anticipated commercial launch, and is already modifying retail stores and prepping call centers for Spectrum Mobile.
RELATED: Charter Testing Mobile Product with 5K Employees
Charter and Comcast have also formed a 50/50 joint venture focused on a common backoffice platform and operations platform that should help both MSOs scale up their mobile offerings. Charter and Comcast will be branding, selling and marketing their respective mobile services separately, however.
RELATED: Comcast, Charter Form Mobile Platform Partnership
