Final answer:
Cable companies implemented microwave technology to significantly improve signal quality over antenna-based systems, thanks to microwaves' ability to carry more information due to their high frequency and short wavelengths. This technology also allowed for longer distance signal transmission, better reliability, and greater content variety.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cable companies implemented microwave technology for several compelling reasons, and among the choices provided, C) To obtain a better signal quality than antenna-delivered signal could offer is the most accurate. Due to shorter wavelengths and higher frequencies, microwaves are capable of carrying more information per unit time, which is why they are widely used in satellite communications and land-based long-distance transmissions. This improvement in signal quality meant that cable companies could deliver clearer and more reliable services than were possible with older antenna-based systems, which suffer from a limited radius and can be affected by various forms of interference.
Furthermore, the implementation of microwave technology allowed cable companies to reach a broader audience with their programming, by transmitting signals over longer distances, and by allowing the addition of more channels and content which was not confined by the limitations of physical towers. This ultimately widened the scope of consumer choice and led to better-quality service.