AT&T is gearing up for the launch of a new mobile video service as Comcast and Charter Communications consider similar offerings in yet further signs of convergence in the US telecoms and cable sectors.
AT&T (NYSE:T) is gearing up for the launch of a new mobile video service as Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA) and Charter Communications (NASDAQ:CHTR) consider similar offerings in yet further signs of convergence in the US telecoms and cable sectors.
Randall Stephenson (pictured), chairman and CEO of telecoms giant AT&T, told attendees at a UBS investor conference that the company would announce “some new capabilities, some new products, integrated products, and pricing” within the next 30 days, adding that it has “put together a really premium content package with our premium wireless asset”.
The offering, to be launched in January, will feature movies, TV shows and live sport from recently-acquired DirecTV, Stephenson said. The purchase of the DTH operator has also afforded AT&T access to streaming rights which will enable it to offer a video service on multiple platforms, he said.
He explained that DirecTV customers will be able to stream content, which includes TV channels such as HBO and Showtime and ESPN sports programming, on their TVs and mobile devices.
AT&T has also created a joint venture, Otter Media, with The Chernin Group to develop content for video services, he said.
Cablecos tight-lipped on wireless plans
Meanwhile, Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts has provided a bit more colour on the cable giant’s plans to delve further into the wireless segment.
Speaking at a Business Insider conference in New York, Roberts said Comcast is looking at expanding its relationships with mobile operators Verizon (NYSE:VZ) and Sprint (NYSE:S) to develop its own wireless offerings. He said the company will “experiment in that area”, drawing upon the cellcos’ networks and its own broadband infrastructure.
He recalled a meeting with Steve Jobs in which the late Apple founder told him he couldn’t understand why Comcast didn’t install WiFi in every cable box, acknowledging that he went home afterwards and asked himself ‘what’s WiFi?’.
Roberts remained vague on the company’s wireless plans but promised that it would have more to share next year.
Charter CEO Tom Rutledge is also remaining tight-lipped on wireless plans, saying at the UBS conference that “ultimately the mobile platform is something we’re going to want to reach to”, without elaborating.
Verizon CFO Fran Shammo said in October that Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks, which are both to be acquired by Charter pending regulatory approvals, and Cox Communications were preparing to exercise options under a 2012 deal to use its wireless network.
Verizon has made big bets on content this year, paying US$4.4bn for AOL over the summer and launching its ad-funded mobile video streaming service Go90 in October.
