Cable Giants Deploy Proprietary Infrastructure to Cut Verizon Network Costs

Philadelphia, Wednesday, 14 January 2026.
Charter and Comcast are reshaping the wireless landscape by deploying $922 million in CBRS spectrum to decrease operational reliance on Verizon. This strategic pivot targets the “3% geometry” of wireless usage, where a mere 3% of geographic coverage accounts for 60% of mobile traffic. By utilizing “strand-mounted” small cells attached to existing cable lines, these operators have achieved an 8-to-1 cost advantage over traditional tower deployments, dropping unit costs to approximately $2,500. As of early 2026, Charter has successfully offloaded 88% of its mobile traffic to owned infrastructure, reducing its dependence on Verizon’s macro towers by nearly 20%. This infrastructure push not only aims to meet the FCC’s 2030 buildout deadline but fundamentally transforms the economics of the MVNO model by capping variable wholesale costs.