Cable One, a prominent US broadband provider, has launched MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) service “Sparklight Mobile”. The move is seen as a significant effort to expand its services beyond residential home internet service and tap into the cellular market.
And maybe going virtual is logical for the internet provider. This way, it doesn’t need to invest in telecom gear. An MVNO relies on the telecom infrastructure of an existing operator for its services. Cable One hasn’t been explicit about its MVNO partner, but there are reports that it might have used AT&T’s network for trials.
“In today’s world, staying connected at home and on the go is essential,” said Tony Mokry, senior vice president of residential services at Sparklight. “Sparklight Mobile gives customers a dependable mobile option that delivers the flexibility, reliability, and value they expect from a provider they already know and trust.”
Sparklight mobile plans
Sparklight launched three different mobile plans starting at $15 for a 1 GB data pack per month. The other two are priced $25 and $30 for 5 GB and unlimited data plans per month, respectively. After a user reaches 30 GB of data, the speed reduces, but the service will be available uninterrupted. All these packages come with mobile data and a hotspot resource.
| Sparklight Mobile Plans | Data volume (per month) |
| $15 | 1 GB mobile+hotspot |
| $25 | 5 GB+hotspot |
| $30 | Unlimited+5 GB hotspot |
The first two plans are suited to those with basic mobile data needs. The premium plan is ideal for people who prefer to stay online most of the time and want to access high-bandwidth content such as video, streaming, podcast, etc.
Cable One boasts over 1.1 million broadband users across 24 states. It’s the first broadband provider to launch a mobile service using a virtual mobile network. In the US, Comcast, Cox Communications, etc., operate MVNO services.