Charter Communications stands to become a massive player in the cable space with its $55 billion purchase of Time Warner Cable. But the deal is taking place at a time of tremendous change for the industry — and that means Charter needs a long-term plan.  Part of that plan may include a new, Internet-based video service and a cellular service that runs primarily on WiFi, said Charter chief executive Tom Rutledge in interviews Tuesday. Both ventures would expand on a key source of growth for cable companies — high-speed broadband — and help Charter fend off attacks by its rivals in other industries.  [Charter strikes deal with Time Warner Cable to create mega cable and Internet firm]  "We think that WiFi lends itself to the modern smartphone and smart tablet use," Rutledge said. "We want to keep deploying that where people work, where people gather, where people play. And ultimately, we could begin to sell mobile services on WiFi."  Rutledge also hinted in an interview with CNBC that Charter might someday offer its own Netflix-like streaming video app. And, in what will likely be even shorter time frame, Charter plans to roll out a new customer interface that lists streaming video content right alongside programming from the cable lineup, blending so-called over-the-top video that relies on an Internet connection with more traditional TV offerings.  "All of that product can be integrated into our new user interface that will allow customers to seamlessly move between over-the-top and cable on every device that they own," Rutledge told CNBC.  As consumers continue to gravitate toward the Internet, cable companies are following. And that's forcing a whole slew of changes in the way they do business. A heavier emphasis on cheap, ubiquitous WiFi will help cable companies counteract the drive by wireless carriers, such as Verizon, to get consumers watching mobile video over their own networks, for instance. And with many Americans looking forward to the end of the traditional cable bundle (in favor of "skinny" packages that offer fewer channels, but are more affordable), the cable industry is adapting by thinking seriously about Web-based streaming.  Charter is a case in point.  "We use our capabilities on broadband to differentiate ourselves," Rutledge told The Post. "And the way we differentiate is with video."  With deal to buy AOL, Verizon snaps up a leader in mobile video ads  Google introduces Project Fi, its very own cellular service  HBO chief: New streaming service is a ‘millennial missile’  Periscope and other new apps threaten TV’s golden egg: Live sports  Brian Fung covers technology for The Washington Post, focusing on telecom, broadband and digital politics. Before joining the Post, he was the technology correspondent for National Journal and an associate editor at the Atlantic.
WiFi calling and streaming video are two of the products Charter's chief executive says the future might hold