Despite Sprint's vow to slow down the rate of new MVNO agreements, the top cable companies in the US are all set to launch self-branded mobile service on the Sprint Nextel network. The deal was originally announced back in November 2005 and involves Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Brighthouse Networks. The first effects of the deal are expected to arrive in the second half of the year.
With Sprint Nextel phones that include special software, cable customers will be able to program their video recorders remotely, call their landlines free and ultimately watch unique programming. They will also be able to merge their calendars, address books and voice mail accounts.
Adding wireless service to the mix gives the cable companies a so-called quadruple play: cable, internet, wireline phone and wireless phone service.
[via Engadget Mobile]