Cox Communications, the third largest cable operator in the United States, has selected Interop Technologies to provide it with mobile services in advance of a major commercial launch.

Mobile services that Cox is preparing to launch include SMS, MMS, WAP and the hosted Common Short Code Gateway. The partnership is designed to build up Cox?s wireless technology back-end as it readies itself to make the leap to providing mobile services to its television, Internet and landline subscribers.

?Technology, experience, reputation and value were key factors in choosing Interop to enable aspects of our mobile data and messaging experience,? said Dane Dickie, executive director of wireless product development at Cox, Atlanta.

?We required a scalable and reliable solution to building our wireless data infrastructure, ultimately leading to the delivery of converged services that will be at the core of the Cox wireless experience,? he said.

?Cox?s messaging platform incorporates the foundation of SMS, MMS, premium and short-code SMS and a WAP Gateway.?

Cox Communications says that SMS, MMS, short-code messaging and access to the mobile Internet are essential to the customer experience.

The company plans to launch a wireless network as part of its three-screen strategy (see story).

Cox is no strange to the mobile channel.

Cox Media and the Pensacola Interstate fair used mobile to inform their target audience of all the exciting promotions and discounts taking place during the event (see story).

Interop is a provider of core wireless services for messaging, device management and gateway connectivity.

A partner to more than 55 wireless carriers, Interop powers SMS, MMS, short code, mobile Internet access and device-management services delivered to millions of wireless customers every day.

Interop offers mobile messaging and connectivity technology in four deployments: 1. hosted ? shared technology in a service bureau environment; 2. modified hosted ? deployed with no capital expense at the network site and managed by Interop; 3. turnkey ? bought outright for on-site deployment; and 4. managed services ? bought outright but operated and managed by Interop.

?Things that made us attractive to Cox Communications are the fact that we offer a complete portfolio of wireless services, including SMS, MMS, a common short code gateway and connectivity to the mobile Internet via our WAP gateway,? said Damian Sazama, vice president, Interop Technologies, Fort Meyers, FL. ?Being able to get those all from one vendor was very important to Cox.

?The deployment options we presented to them are very unique to Interop,? he said. ?Cox is in startup mode right now, they?re focusing on getting their main wireless network and service launched, so this is a managed-service agreement.

?We are managing those platforms for them, which gives them flexibility, and we will manage them for you for as long as they want us to?we said ?Let us know when you want to start taking care of it on your own.??

Cox has not launched its wireless network yet. The cable company is aiming for the fourth quarter of this year, but it has not set a launch date.

?Cox is the third largest cable provider in the U.S., and they are going to provide unique services that have yet to be seen, forming a quad-play with high-speed internet, cable TV, home telephone service and now wireless,? Mr. Sazama said.

?They haven?t announced specific offerings, but one can only imagine what they can bring to the table now that they control all four channels,? he said.