Cox Communications has partnered with Sprint Nextel to add cell phone service to its offerings in Rhode Island.

Cox this week launched “Pivot,” a new wireless service that lets Cox customers access their home voice mail from their cell phone. And it also allows customers to watch a handful of live television channels on certain Sprint cell phones.

Cox, along with other major cable operators in the Unites States, formed a joint venture with Sprint in 2005 to offer cell phone service. The cable operators have been seeking ways to better compete with incumbent telephone companies, such as Verizon, which are starting to enter the cable TV business.