Charter Communications confirms it plans to release wireless service next year thanks to a deal it has to resell Verizon service to its customers. "We have a very good MVNO relationship with Verizon and intend to launch wireless services to cable customers next year," said a spokesperson in a statement.

The bigger picture: The confirmation comes as the company rejects an overture from Sprint parent company SoftBank that would have combined the wireless carrier with the cable giant. The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that SoftBank chief Masa Son could still make an offer despite the cold reception the idea has gotten from Charter.

The even bigger picture: Comcast has started offering wireless service to its customers via a similar deal.