- Comcast Business is not typically thought of as a wireless provider
- But the company has set up a private wireless network for UVA
- It’s using CBRS spectrum, some of which is owned by the University of Virginia
Comcast Business isn't your typical wireless provider, but in the face of sagging earnings and subscriber churn, a recent private wireless deal with University of Virginia (UVA) in Charlottesville, could be a sign of things to come.
Unveiled today, the service uses Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum, and the vendors involved include Druid Software and Airspan Networks. Druid provides the Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) gateway for the private wireless network, enabling neutral host operations. Airspan supplies the CBRS radio access network equipment. And Comcast Business designed, deployed and manages the network.
The UVA deal is one of just a few private wireless networks Comcast has deployed — and it seems like a new revenue opportunity for the cable company which has been facing hard times of late.
In the first quarter the company lost a whopping 199,000 broadband subscribers, way worse than analysts expected. Comcast tried to soften the broadband blow by pointing out the quarter saw its highest increase in wireless net subscribers in two years. The operator reeled in 323,000 new mobile lines, bringing its total wireless base to 8.1 million.
Now, perhaps Comcast Business will also ramp its wireless ambitions to help boost company revenues.
Comcast has deployed “a number of private wireless networks across various industries with neutral host capabilities," according to Justin Markle, SVP of Wireless Partnerships and Development. However, he could not reveal other customers' names but hinted: “While specific customers and deployment counts aren’t typically disclosed, a notable installation includes the Sound Hotel Seattle Belltown."
Buzzword Bingo: CBRS and neutral host
in the UVA deal, Markle said the deployment is capable of using both General Authorized Access (GAA) CBRS spectrum as well as Priority Access Licenses (PALs) CBRS spectrum, which UVA owns.
Neutral host networks with shared wireless infrastructure enable multiple network operators to provide connectivity and coverage without each operator having to deploy their own separate infrastructure.
Comcast is not currently disclosing which carriers are live on the UVA deployment, but Markle said it’s capable of supporting all major carriers.
“The network is private, in that the solution is not owned by the carriers and can be configured by UVA to directly support UVA’s own SIM-based devices for campus safety, IoT connectivity, advanced research or other functions,” he said. “However, the network also interfaces with public carrier networks through MOCN to enable customers of those carriers to automatically connect in areas which previously had cellular coverage gaps.”
When user devices from participating carriers are within range of the Comcast private network, those devices will automatically connect, just as they would with a traditional macro network. Connectivity is seamless and is authenticated using SIM-based credentials.
Who’s winning in private wireless revenues?
A new Dell’Oro Group report says private wireless RAN revenues ended 2024 stronger than expected, growing more than 40% year over year. Dell’Oro ranks the top three private wireless RAN vendors in 2024 as Nokia, Ericsson and Samsung, respectively. Its ranking excludes Chinese vendors.
Meanwhile, a January Gartner report ranked a slew of service providers as the “leaders” in its Magic Quadrant for 4G and 5G Private Mobile Network Services.
In fact, both vendors and service providers are “winning” new revenues in private wireless. Dell’Oro and Gartner just analyze the ecosystem from different perspectives.