Samsung Electronics and Comcast announced on Thursday that they have partnered on 5G radio access network (RAN) solutions for the Xfinity Mobile and Comcast Business Mobile business segments.
“Our low-cap approach to delivering enhanced 5G connectivity in service areas where we have a high concentration of traffic and wired infrastructure is smart for our business and even better for customers who will benefit from broader coverage and industry-leading speeds and prices,” Tom Nagel, senior vice president of wireless strategy at Comcast, said in the announcement.
“Partnering with Samsung and leveraging its leadership in 5G network innovation will help us seamlessly deliver more next-generation apps and services to our consumer and business mobile customers,” Nagel continued.
According to Light Reading, the partnership involves Samsung using Comcast’s radios to expand 5G in “certain high-traffic areas of its cable footprint.” The site also noted the “slow pace” of Comcast’s mobile moves.
“We are thrilled to partner with Comcast on their journey to deliver the most enhanced 5G experiences available to their customers,” said Mark Louison, executive vice president and head of network operations, Samsung Electronics America. “With this partnership, Samsung continues to build on its leadership in wireless technology in commercial 5G deployments. We look forward to helping Comcast achieve its goals by providing best-in-class 5G mobile services to their Xfinity Mobile and Comcast Business customers,” he continued.
Comcast currently pays Verizon for access to its 5G network.
Earlier this week, Comcast posted a note on its website about the company’s “evolving wireless strategy.” Comcast’s Nagel said in the article that Comcast has added 4.5 million customer lines in the five years since launching Xfinity Mobile.
“Our original strategy from 2017 is still valid today: to provide high-quality wireless service with the best devices that deliver more value to our Internet customers and, in turn, encourage them to stay with us and attract new ones. new ones on the way.. With these key pillars as the North Star, our wireless efforts have become profitable in 2021 and now provide an opportunity for growth going forward,” the post reads.
“We do not intend to build a full nationwide wireless network, but where it makes sense, we plan to selectively deploy our own 5G radios in dense, high-traffic areas of the markets we serve. today,” Nagel added, before continuing. in the news of the new Samsung partnership.
Comcast, he said, will use Samsung’s new 5G CBRS Strand small cell, which he said “can be mounted on our existing overhead cable lines quickly and inexpensively.”
Verizon and Dish Network also have deals with Samsung for their US operations, Light Reading said.
Stephen Silver, technology editor for The National Interest, is a journalist, essayist and film critic, who also contributes to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philly Voice, Philadelphia Weekly, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Living Life Fearless, Backstage magazine, Broad Street Review and connect today. Co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. Follow him on Twitter at @StephenSilver.
Picture: Reuters.