Comcast and Charter Communications on Monday announced a wireless partnership, as the cable providers seek to add more services in a bid to reduce customer churn.
Reuters reported on Sunday that the companies were close to announcing an agreement that would speed up their entry into the highly competitive and over-saturated market for mobile service in the United States.
As part of the agreement, Charter and Comcast will not be able to make “material” transactions in the wireless space for a year without the other’s consent, Comcast said in a filing with regulators.
The material transactions may include acquisitions, investments or joint ventures that have a value of more than $200 million.
Comcast is moving into wireless as cable companies seek to offset customer attrition, as younger viewers shun high-priced subscriptions in favor of cheaper online options.
“(The partnership) will also enable us to provide more competition and drive costs down for consumers at a similar national scale as current wireless operators,” Charter Chief Executive Tom Rutledge said in a statement.


