Leading cable operators in the U.S, Comcast and Charter have formed a 50/50 operating platform partnership focused on the development and design of backend systems that support Comcast’s Xfinity Mobile and Charter’s Spectrum Mobile service.
The new partnership is the result of the continuing collaboration between Comcast and Charter in the mobile space, as each company continues to develop their respective mobile brands, products, and services.
Through the agreement, Charter and Comcast will work together to cost-effectively develop an efficient and scalable software platform, and related backend systems, which will power each company’s mobile-related customer sales and support platforms, device logistics and warehousing, and billing.
The operating platform developed by the partnership will serve as the systems interface for current and any future MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) partners.
The partnership will leverage elements of the operating platform that Comcast initially developed for Xfinity Mobile, which Charter has modified for its upcoming mobile product and service platform launch.
Charter will initially fund the joint venture to reflect certain development costs that Comcast has already made in mobile-related platforms and technology. Thereafter, the partners will equally fund the operations of the partnership.
Each company will continue to maintain their own relationships with device manufacturers. In addition, all customer-facing activities including customer service, marketing, sales, pricing and packaging will be handled individually by Charter and Comcast.
Danny Bowman, Chief Mobile Officer, Charter
Our new partnership will enable us to drive faster and more cost-effective mobile product and service enhancements and provide innovative and affordable mobile service to our customers.
Sam Schwartz, Chief Business Development Officer, Camcast
We have built a best-in-class mobile platform for Xfinity Mobile that is resonating with customers. By collaborating with Charter, we will help drive operational and cost efficiencies for both companies.
