Cablevision Systems Corp.
By Multi Channel News Staff -- Multichannel News, 3/4/2001 7:00:00 PM
BETHPAGE, N.Y. - Cablevision Systems Corp. said last week it would combine its residential and business telephony assets into a single unit.
That new unit includes Cablevision's Personal Communications Services wireless telephony assets, owned in partnership with North Coast LLC, and its Lightpath Inc. competitive local-exchange carrier. The unit will also focus on exploration of an Internet-protocol telephony and integrated wireless voice and data offering associated with its pending launch of Sony Corp. digital set-tops.
Joseph Azznara, former president of Cablevision's New York metropolitan area operations, will head the new unit as chief operating officer. Cablevision CEO James Dolan will assume Azznara's previous duties and have direct oversight of Cablevision's cable, Internet and retail operations groups, assisted by their respective senior executive teams.
"Cablevision now has wireless telephone assets that have dramatically increased in values, a strong and growing CLEC at Lightpath, and a potential to revolutionize the home voice and data market in New York utilizing Cablevision's digital platform by integrating our various offerings," Dolan said in a prepared statement. "How we develop our assets in a changing telecommunications landscape will be critical to our success, and I am very confident Joe Azznara will help us to capitalize on the many opportunities that exist."
