Viewpoints
The entrance of cable into mobile is reshaping the dynamics of an entire sector and forcing entrenched players to respond.
Submitted by: Jeff Ryer, Executive Director, Consumer Action for a Strong Economy (CASE)
Millions of Americans are now paying less for their mobile phone service. But, it’s not because the big wireless carriers suddenly grew generous. Rather, new entrants from the cable industry are stepping in to offer consumers a better deal.
In 2024 alone, cable mobile services helped households save an estimated $4.1 billion, with projected savings expected to reach $5.0 billion in 2025. This is real money back in consumers’ pockets, and proof that competition works.
The success of cable mobile is a testament to the cable industry’s long history of disrupting markets. Time and time again, the results have meant more choices, lower prices, and better service for American consumers.
In the 1990s, cable providers transformed internet service by introducing DOCSIS technology, ushering in the era of always-on, high-speed internet service that we enjoy today. Where dial-up once dominated, cable broadband quickly became the gold standard for fast and reliable internet access. In the early 2000s, cable providers reshaped yet another industry: voice service. Digital voice offerings challenged the traditional phone providers, helping consumers save an estimated $110 billion over a five-year period. In both cases, cable providers acted as market disruptors, pushing incumbents to compete and adapt.
Today, the same pattern is unfolding in mobile.
Cable broadband connectivity providers Charter, Comcast, Cox, and Mediacom have entered the mobile marketplace as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). This hybrid approach combines access to a national licensed wireless network along with the extensive Wi-Fi infrastructure of cable providers. It’s a model that makes both technical and economic sense. Today, up to 90% of the traffic from cable mobile devices is offloaded onto Wi-Fi networks, significantly reducing costs and allowing for more competitive pricing. Of note, GCI operates its own mobile network in Alaska, and it sells wholesale access on its network to the three national mobile network operators (MNOs).
The payoff for consumers is clear. Households that bundle cable internet with mobile service are saving more than $1,000. For many, it’s a simple and dependable option that builds on services they already use and trust.
Consumer demand reflects that value. Cable mobile connections have more than doubled from 10 million in March 2022 to over 20 million by March 2025. Charter alone now serves more than 10 million mobile lines, while Comcast has exceeded 8 million lines. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the two companies added more than 800,000 new mobile lines combined. This represents a seismic shift in a market long dominated by just a few national carriers.
The benefits also extend far beyond individual savings. The entrance of cable into mobile is reshaping the dynamics of an entire sector. It’s forcing entrenched players to respond, pushing them to improve their services and reevaluate their pricing – all of which are wins for American consumers. That’s the ripple effect of competition, and it’s why policymakers should take note.
