Cox Abandoning Effort for Own 3G Network; Sticking With Sprint Reseller Deal Instead

Cox Communications said on Tuesday that it will soon decommission a 3G wireless network that it has been building, opting instead to focus solely on selling wireless service via a wholesale deal with Sprint.

The move, Cox said, will allow the cable company to reach its goal of offering wireless service to half its customer base this year.

“We believe this approach is good for our customers, allowing us to take the necessary steps to fulfill our promise to deliver a Cox experience that customers expect from us,” Cox said in a statement. “In continuing with our successful wholesale model for 3G wireless services, we will accomplish speed to market while achieving greater operational efficiencies from a wholesale model that continues to improve. We are proud of our initial success with wireless, already nearly doubling our projected subscriber forecast.”

A representative declined to say how many millions Cox had spent on spectrum and network gear or to comment on its future plans for the spectrum it owns. Cox sells its service using the pitch of “unbelievably fair wireless,” offering terms such as cash back for unused minutes.

Cox’s plan was reported earlier on Tuesday by Fierce Wireless.