The nation’s cable operators reportedly are weighing an official moniker for their wireless initiative, and “CableRoam” appears to be the one that’s out in front.
According to a Red Herring report, the initiative will enable cable operators to extend their plant wirelessly to offer voice and data services via WiFi and WiMAX.
The paper noted that CableLabs Director of Advanced Digital Technologies Peter MacCormack confirmed the initiative, but noted that the name and plans are still under development. More details about the initiative might be shared in Colorado Springs this week at the CableLabs Winter Conference.
That cable is moving ahead on a formal mobile/wireless initiative is not new. In addition to a mobile voice joint venture with Sprint Nextel, the cable industry has also made formal inroads with wireless mesh specialists such as BelAir Networks, which counts Comcast Interactive Capital as an investor. Earlier this year, BelAir also announced the formation of a Technical Advisory Board comprised of cable operators.
Tropos Networks, another wireless mesh provider, meanwhile, has relationships with two primary cable vendors: Motorola Inc. and Scientific-Atlanta, which is now part of Cisco Systems.
