Verizon opening up, now it’s Cable’s turn
There is a lot of hope about Verizon’s announcement to open up their network to new applications and devices. No doubt this was a response to Google’s Android & the Open Handset Alliance. Probably a response to the iPhone as well.
As an investor in a several mobile startup companies, I’m optimistic about all of this. It will take time and none of our portfolio companies are going to depend on this but the macro trend here about walls coming down with US mobile operators is great for consumers. But it also makes sense for Verizon long term.
So now the question we should ask is how long before cable operators adopt a similar model and open up? It looks like the FCC is backing off their agenda to open up cable which is no surprise. Ultimately it won’t be the FCC that opens up cable. It will be the market. Cable should be proactive but the trend is undeniable.
Google, Apple or some startup is going to shake up the pay TV market in such a powerful way that we will see cable operators announce something similar to Verizon’s announcement yesterday.
And I can’t wait.
