Kelly Williams has taken over the reins of Cox’s wireless division after previously serving in the company’s project management organization.
Williams’ new title at Cox is vice president of wireless product and operations, where he is now responsible for the development, management and support of the company’s wireless products and services.
“Kelly was instrumental in creating and executing the overall project plans for the initial deployment of Cox Wireless,” said Len Barlik, executive vice president of product development and management at Cox Communications. “Kelly’s experience and proven leadership will benefit Cox greatly as we further the availability of Cox Wireless and continue to enhance the Cox customer experience.”
Williams replaced Stephen Bye, who left Cox last month to take an executive position with Sprint Nextel.
Bye was senior vice president of wireless at Cox, and after his departure, Barlik took over his duties while a search was conducted for Bye’s replacement.
In addition to helping launch Cox’s wireless phone and mobile data services, Williams also ran the wireless network operations team, which included operating and maintaining the core wireless network elements, as well as the back office systems that supported the wireless line of business.
Prior to joining Cox, Williams spent 23 years with BellSouth, Cingular and AT&T. During that time, he held a variety of roles and responsibilities, including vice president and general manager of Bellsouth’s Nicaragua wireless company, vice president and general manager of BellSouth International Wireless Services, head of core technology strategy for Cingular Wireless, and various other marketing, operations, project management, strategy, product development, product management and planning roles.
After some delays, Cox first launched its wireless service in Hampton Roads, Va., Omaha, Neb., and Orange County, Calif., in November of last year. Last month, Cox rolled out its wireless service, which uses Sprint’s 3G CDMA EVDO Rev A network until Cox’s own network is ready, in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
Cox has previously said that it plans on having its wireless service in 50 percent of its footprint by the end of this year.
Cox is close to having the service, which it calls “Unbelievably Fair,” in its New England market, which includes Rhode Island, and Cox communities in Connecticut and Cleveland, Ohio.