Cox Communications Inc. is starting a reorganization that will integrate its wireless business, centralize operations and consolidate several cable systems, according to documents obtained by Light Reading Cable.

In a letter to Cox execs last week, President Patrick Esser wrote that the MSO needs to do a better job unifying its operations by eliminating redundant functions. "The organizational changes are part of an ongoing evolution of our business to ensure Cox remains competitive, efficient and effective in serving our customers," the MSO said in a statement to Light Reading Cable after our inquiry about Esser's letter. Cox, in its statement, predicts the impact of the reorg "will be invisible to our customers and the communities we serve."

Cox isn't the first major U.S. MSO that's identified the need to become more nimble and competitive by centralizing functions and operations. Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) and Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE: TWC) have been reducing their operating divisions in recent years, as well. (See Time Warner Cable to Shut Down Nat'l Division and Comcast Trims Another Division .)

Cox became privately held in 2004 and does not release financial information, so it's difficult to gauge the overall impact of restructuring on its business. Being private has enabled Cox to embark on some network and new service initiatives that might have been questioned by investors.

Its decision to upgrade plant to 1GHz, enabling Cox to bulk up its HD lineup and create a new Advanced TV Plus tier that reportedly will rely on MPEG-4, has been well-received. However, its quest to own and run a 3G wireless network -- and the expenses that strategy has incurred -- have come under much more scrutiny. (See Cox Makes 1 GHz Moves .)

Cox recently scuttled plans to build its own 3G network and eventually migrate to Long Term Evolution (LTE). It has since decided to move forward by running its own service exclusively on the Sprint Corp. (NYSE: S) network. Following this week's launch in Santa Barbara and San Diego, Cox's wireless service is on pace to be available to half the MSO's footprint by the end of 2011. (See Cox: We're Not Selling Our Spectrum, Cox May Tear Down Wireless Network, Cox Chucks Wireless Network Plan and Cox Wireless Clears California .)

Proposed changes
In a separate document, Cox has outlined an array of organization changes it will implement. The plans, as you'll see, do not get specific about layoffs: