Next time, it will have a cable partner.

Sprint Nextel and its cable partners are still working out the details of what video programming they might provide over the cellular network.

It is unclear what bankruptcy would mean to the cable partners and their 3.7 million cable modem subscribers.

When the network added coverage on its cable partners in 2000, it allowed them to televise other sports.

It is seeking a cable partner for daily reports, and a broadcaster for a post-Paralympics special.

Indeed, before the deal was announced last week, CBS never seemed to be in the market for a cable partner.

Beyond that, most of the potential cable partners would be starting from scratch in wireless communications, while the telephone companies are already big cellular operators.

CBS has no cable partner as yet, although it has talked to Turner.

Currently the cable partners bear the responsibility for $575 million of credit.

That would mean its cable partners must upgrade their systems with digital switches and fiber optic cable.