Comcast and Charter on Monday announced an agreement to explore potential opportunities for operational cooperation in their respective wireless businesses to accelerate and enhance each company’s ability to participate in the national wireless marketplace. 

The companies, which have each separately activated a mobile virtual network operator (“MVNO”) reseller agreement with Verizon Wireless, have agreed to explore working together in a number of potential operational areas in the wireless space, including: creating common operating platforms; technical standards development and harmonization; device forward and reverse logistics; and emerging wireless technology platforms. 

The efficiencies created are expected to provide more choice, innovative products and competitive prices for customers in each of their respective footprints.  Additionally, the companies have agreed to work only together with respect to national mobile network operators, through potential commercial arrangements, including MVNOs and other material transactions in the wireless industry, for a period of one year, said Comcast.

“At Charter, we have a tremendous opportunity in front of us in the wireless space.  Within our footprint, our network is perfectly suited to provide the data-rich wireless services that customers are increasingly demanding,’ said Tom Rutledge, Chairman and CEO of Charter.  

“By working with the team at Comcast, we can not only speed Charter’s entry into the marketplace, it will also enable us to provide more competition and drive costs down for consumers at a similar national scale as current wireless operators,” he added.

The companies will file an 8-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that contains their agreement.