Comcast Corporation has decided not to bid in the 700 MHz wireless auction, said D’Arcy Rudnay, Senior VP, Comcast Corporation in a press release today.

“The 20 MHz of spectrum acquired in the wireless auction last year with our cable partners in SpectrumCo provides us with significant long-term flexibility and many strategic options. We will continue to explore how wireless can complement our services through various partnerships and consumer trials.”

Comcast is the largest cable provider in the United States, with 24.2 million cable customers, 12.9 million high-speed Internet customers, and 4.1 million voice customers.

Time Warner Cable, the second largest cable provider, won’t participate in the 700 MHz auction either, according to Time Warner Cable CEO Glenn Britt. “The 20 MHz of spectrum acquired in the wireless auction last year with our cable partners in SpectrumCo provides us with significant long-term flexibility and many strategic options,” said Britt.

Cox Communications is in. The company said Monday it plans to bid, likely making it the lone major cable operator to take part.

SpectrumCo was deemed the winner of 137 wireless spectrum licenses for $2.37 billion. Comcast’s share was $1.29 billion, followed by Time Warner Cable’s $632.2 million, and Cox’s $248.3 million. (See SpectrumCo Gets Licenses)

Google, Cox, Frontline, AT&T and (probably) Verizon appear to have submitted applications for a shot at the 700 MHz spectrum, along with Leap Wireless, EchoStar and (no doubt) many others.

Related DailyWireless stories include; MetroPCS & Leap Announce Merger, Leap Into AWS Phone Service, AWS Visual Guide, AWS: It’s Done, Plan B from WirelessDBS and AWS Auction Begins.

Posted by Sam Churchill on Monday, December 3rd, 2007 at 10:48 am.