Comcast and Verizon pretend to disagree on much, but their technology roadmaps continue to overlap, including investing in a company with its own take on cloud computing.

Both Comcast and Verizon have invested in ConteXtream, a start-up that aims to make broadband pipes smarter. The company introduced its ConteXtream Service Delivery Grid (SDG), which is already in trials with multiple Tier 1 operators.

The SDG turns broadband networks into a system of what the company calls "smart clouds."

By routing traffic through ConteXtream's SDG, software running on industry-standard servers, a customer's data is analyzed for context in real time and then used to direct the customer to the applications and services that are right for them. ConteXtream CEO Yaron Simler says this is a major way for carriers to grow ARPU, provide more granular service offerings and optimize network traffic.

According to Simler, ConteXtream is in talks and trials with "four major U.S. carriers" to deploy the solution as those carriers roll out their 4G network. ConteXtream has planned deployments by the first half of 2011.

Louis Toth, senior managing director of Comcast Interactive Capital, said, "We invested in ConteXtream because, by cloud enabling our network, its Service Delivery Grid can help us continue to deliver exciting new services to our customers in a cost-effective way."

ConteXtream has secured $14 million in Series B financing, bringing the company's total financing to $29 million. The lead investor is Comcast Interactive Capital, joined by Verizon Investments (assisted by Verizon Ventures). Existing investors Benhamou Global Ventures, Gemini Israel Funds, Norwest Venture Partners and Sofinnova Ventures also participated.

– Wireless Week's Andrew Berg contributed to this report