Comcast has promoted Cathy Avgiris to executive vice president and general manager of the data and communications group, where she will lead the rollout of the joint bundle offerings with Verizon Wireless.
Comcast recently started rolling out its double- and triple-play bundles that feature a wireless service from Verizon Wireless. Earlier this month, Comcast and Verizon Wireless started cross-promoting each other’s products in San Francisco.
The partnership, which was first formed when Comcast, Bright House Networks and Time Warner Cable sold their wireless spectrum in December to Verizon Wireless for $3.6 billion, will allow each of the service providers to bundle and sell the others’ services. The bundle includes Comcast’s Xfinity video, data and landline offerings with Verizon’s wireless service.
A nearly 21-year veteran of Comcast, Avgiris is in charge of all aspects of the company’s Xfinity Internet and Xfinity Voice services, including the company’s Internet Essentials program, which provides low-cost Internet service to low-income families.
Avgiris is also in charge of Comcast’s Wi-Fi service, which Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said on yesterday’s earnings conference call would be extended into new markets this year. She reports to Dave Watson, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Comcast Cable.
“Cathy’s extraordinary leadership has been instrumental to Comcast’s growth and success,” said Neil Smit, CEO of Comcast Cable Communications. “She has helped us become the largest broadband Internet service provider in the U.S., as well as the largest competitive voice provider to the phone companies. As we look at our future growth opportunities, especially in broadband and Wi-Fi, we are thrilled to have her decades of experience and deep knowledge of the competitive landscape.”
In 2010, Avgiris was awarded one of the cable industry’s most prestigious honors, the Vanguard Award for “Distinguished Leadership” for Cable Operations Management by the National Cable & Telecommunications Association.