Cox expands wireless in Oklahoma, fiber network in Rhode Island

Cox Communications has always marched to the beat of a different drummer than the rest of its cable brethren (think Ginger Baker versus John Densmore). Thus, it should be no surprise that the privately-held, Atlanta-based MSO has debuted wireless service in Oklahoma at the same time it's building a high-capacity broadband fiber optic network throughout Rhode Island for commercial services.

The Oklahoma market is the latest for the MSO, the only cable operator with a wireless voice play, and is "a natural opportunity for us because we can offer a complete telecommunications bundle, a Cox spokeswoman said.

Similarly, Cox has long been active with commercial services in Rhode Island and it was a logical choice for OSHEAN (the Ocean state Higher Education Economic Development and Administration Network) when it sought someone to build the network to connect nonprofit hospitals, universities, government agencies, schools and libraries throughout the state.

OSHEAN's plans are to expand its current 90 miles of fiber optic cable to 339 miles with a capacity of 400 Gbps overall. The network will feed elementary and secondary schools with 1 Gbps of data speeds and give universities and hospitals 50 Gbps.

For more:
- The Oklahoman has this story
- Providence Business News has this story

Related articles:
Cox touts remote DVR apps with mobile service rollout
Cox ready to launch wireless service in Oklahoma City, Tulsa
The business of business: Cable's attention focused on commercial services