Cable One Invests in Two Wireless Internet Service Providers

Cable One revealed that it has invested in two fixed wireless ISPs – Wisper Internet and NextLink – as the service provider pushes forward with a strategy to use alternative technologies to branch into less dense areas near its traditional wired footprint. Cable One, which made a note of recent investments into fixed wireless back in May but didn't name the targets, said it had acquired a 40% stake in Wisper and a less than 10% stake in NextLink, noting that both companies are also Connect America Fund phase II winners. Nathan Stooke will remain the largest owner of Mascoutah, Illinois-based Wisper. Bill Baker, NextLink's CEO and majority owner, will continue to run the day-to-day business of the ISP. Founded in 2012, Weatherford, Texas-based NextLink currently provides a mix of uncapped Internet services (up to 100 Mbit/s and 10 Mbit/s up) along with voice add-on options.