Cable industry consolidation continues with the Altice Cablevision purchase completed yesterday. The news comes just weeks after completion of a deal that made Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks part of Charter Communications.
Altice is now the fourth largest U.S. cable operator, having previously acquired Suddenlink Communications.
Investment Plans Post Altice Cablevision Purchase
In a press release announcing completion of the Altice Cablevision purchase, Altice pledged to invest in its U.S. properties, including introducing a low-income broadband offering. Low-income broadband offerings seem to be part and parcel of M&A involving broadband providers because such plans are viewed favorably by regulators.
Altice also pledged to “significantly increase broadband speeds through extensive investments in network upgrades and improvements” – a comment that suggests that the company will be joining other cable operators in deploying DOCSIS 3.1 technology. No surprise there, either.
Also in Altice’s investment plans: further WiFi investment, a move that could help expand and enhance the Freewheel WiFi-only wireless service that Altice will gain through the Cablevision purchase.
Alice has plans for new customer premises equipment, according to today’s release. The company said it plans to introduce a “state-of-the-art and fully evolutive, all-in-one home center that integrates the functionality of set-top boxes, routers and WiFi modems in one device and provides a more user-friendly experience.”
An improved customer interface also is part of the Altice plans. The company said it would introduce “a next-generation customer interface offering . . . modern, informative and seamless navigation, integrating video on demand, online content and advanced navigation and recommendation tools to maximize the customer’s experience.”
Other Altice investment plans include upgrading and investing in new IT systems to “optimize processes and better serve customers.” Additionally, the company said it would “inspire the next generation of technology leaders through programs that encourage the pursuit of STEM-related career paths.”
