Cox to offer wireless in '09 using Sprint network

NEW YORK, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Cox Communications Inc [COXC.UL] said on Monday it would start offering wireless services in the U.S. in 2009 using Sprint Nextel Corp's (S.N) network while it works on building its own wireless network.

The aim is to add wireless service to Cox's bundle of television, telephone and wired broadband Internet services in order to help retain customers.

The Atlanta-based cable company, which has spent more than $500 million buying wireless airwaves in U.S. government auctions, said it would build its own network for additional market launches in 2009.

"Wireless service will be a key driver to Cox's future growth," said Pat Esser, president of Cox Communications, in a statement.

The company said it was the first of the U.S. cable companies to start offering bundles of voice, video and data services in 1997, and now about one third of its customers buy all three services.

It said it would manage product development, marketing, back-office operations and customer services itself in an effort to keep tight control of the subscriber experience.

Cox said it would rent space on Sprint's network based on the CDMA wireless standard.

Cox said it also plans to build its own CDMA network and will also test the next generation of emerging high-speed wireless data technologies known as Long Term Evolution (LTE), a standard that established wireless rivals AT&T Inc and Verizon Wireless have also said they would use for their future networks.

Verizon Wireless is owned by Verizon Communications Inc (VZ.N) and Vodafone Group Plc (VOD.L). (Reporting by Sinead Carew, Editing by Phil Berlowitz)