Comcast Launches Xfinity Mobile Wireless With $65 Unlimited Plans (Sorta)

"America's Most Hated Company" may have just given customers another reason to hate it by launching of Xfinity Mobile, the company's first attempt at breaking in to the wireless market. With the new service Comcast will offer its customers TV, home internet, home phone and wireless service under one umbrella. Yes that means you will likely get more calls and marketing pushing an upgrade to the bundled. the service.

The service will be back-boned by a combination of Comcast Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots and Verizon's existing  network.Giving customers cellular coverage through Verizon at times when they can not connect to one of Comcast’s millions of Wi-Fi hotspots. The phones will automatically connect to those locations, similar to how Google’s Project Fi works.

Comcast is promising no line access fees, with unlimited talk and text on up to five lines. All you will pay for is data usage. Combined with its internet service, it will have "unlimited" mobile data access available for $65 per month, per line, while its "best" bundle package brings the price for unlimited access down to $45 per month. As with most of these "unlimited" plans, unlimited truly doesn't mean unlimited. Customers using more than 20GB a month will end up being throttled, severely in this case based on what Ars Technica is reporting.

If you'd prefer to pay only for the data you use,  Xfinity Mobile will offer a $12 per GB plan, which customers can switch to and away from within the app, even in the middle of a month. Families can mix-and-match on an account so that each person can choose the way to pay for data that makes sense for them.  This means that at any time users find that they’ve used more data on a “By the
Gig” option one month, they can switch to “Unlimited” for that month, then switch back the next month with no penalties. Additionally with Xfinity Mobile, Comcast is offering 24/7 customer support via text message and a dedicated Xfinity Mobile call center support team. Hope it is better than their existing service!

As far as devices are concerned the company has already confirmed Xfinity Mobile will sell the the iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus for the service. They aren't being as transparent about what Android-based products will be offered, but it confirmed that it will “feature the best devices from Samsung and LG”. Hopefully, that means customers can get the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus and the LG G6 via Xfinity Mobile.

For more details on the new service checkout the full Comcast announcement and Xfinity Mobile fact sheet or the Xfinity Mobile corporate websitee where you can also pre-register for more information.

Comcast Outage Credit Request Now Live, Sign-Up to Get Your $5!

Service outages are always frustrating and even more so in today's always connected world. It seems like you can't get anything done once your internet is down. This past week Comcast was hit with a major outage that affected customers all across the western US.

Comcast explained the outage as a hardware failure that impacted Domain Name System (DNS) traffic causing many customers to experience service interruptions. Essentially customers trying to reach websites couldn't because Comcast's servers couldn't resolve the domain names and point the website request to the appropriate location.

We understand that interruptions like those experienced by our customers in California, Washington State and Tucson, Arizona are frustrating. We would like to make it right by offering you a $5 credit.

For some of those impacted Comcast has already started reaching out and offering a $5 credit for the interruption. For others you can sign-up to request your billing credit here, you'll need to use the original account holders name and either the phone number associated with the account of the account number. According to the terms you must also make sure you submit your request before 6/11/2015 so make sure you get it done ASAP.

This $5 credit offer is being extended to Comcast customers with active XFINITY Internet service in California, Washington State, and Tucson, Arizona who were affected by the issue with our DNS servers that was first reported on 6/1/15. This request form is for our residential customers only. Comcast says it will take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks for the credit to be posted to your Comcast account and you should receive an email informing you of the status of your credit request within 10 business days of submitting your request.

$5 doesn't seem like much for someone like myself that relies so heavily on the internet to get things done. However, a little something is always better than a whole lot of nothing!! 

Comcast Adds More Networks to Double TV Everywhere Streaming Lineup

Service providers are looking to stay ahead of the curve as more and more users are looking for more options to stream their favorite TV shows, movies and other content to their mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets and look to cut the Cable TV cords entirely and stream content to their home computers and set-top boxes.

This move has been great news to cord cutters and streamers alike as it has lead to a proliferation of streaming options for non-cable subscribers including standalone services from many major network providers and many cable channels like AMC, ESPN and even HBO and Showtime.

Hoping to keep up with the trends Comcast has been working hard to keep their own streaming catalog growing quickly.

In a recent press release, the cable company says it has doubled its number of live, streaming channels to more than 70 in just over a year, including recent additions like AMC, BBC America, and Showtime. Additionally the company says customers now have access to approximately 21,000 on demand choices to stream on mobile devices, as well as nearly 466,000 available online.

The company reports the usage of it's Xfinity TV Go app is seeing “tremendous growth” with more than 30 percent of its subscribers taking advantage of the streaming video options—a 20 percent gain year-over-year. Moreover, the average viewer consumed more than 7 hours per month on Xfinity TV Go, up nearly 40 percent from the same time last year. Available for Android and Apple devices, the Xfinity TV Go app has been downloaded more than 11 million times.

Comcast Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Over Use of Customer Routers For Comcast Xfinity Wifi Service

Much to the disdain of many customers earlier this year Comcast began its roll out of the company's new Comcast Xfinity Wifi service. The service features an update to rented home Wi-Fi routers that turns on a little known feature enabling your Xfinity router to be turned into a public hotspot!

Unfortunately for many un-suspecting customers the newly update service was turned on by default, and while Comcast promises there is no risk to users, and no added costs associated. The new service has not been met with open arms.

According to a San Francisco Chronicle report a class-action lawsuit was filed against Comcast last week in U.S. District Court in San Francisco. The suit was submitted by East Bay residents Toyer Grear and daughter Joycelyn Harris, who claim that Comcast is using its equipment to exploit customers for profit. They're seeking an injunction that will prevent Comcast from using its residential wireless routers as public hotspots. The suit also seeks compensation for unspecified damages.

According to the complaint Comcast violated the US Computer Fraud and Abuse Act as well as California laws on unfair competition and computer data access and fraud. They claim that the public hotspots, broadcast from the same equipment used for subscribers' private Wi-Fi networks, raise customers' electricity costs and harm network performance. But they also make what Comcast says is a false allegation regarding network security.

Comcast is looking to build a public Xfinity WiFi hotspot network, one that offers any current Comcast customer access to WiFi hotspotx throughout the region. This network will reside in 19 of the largest cities here in the United States and compete with America's top mobile service providers such as AT&T and Verizon. To do this, Comcast has added a second Internet channel to the newer models of its wireless gateway modems that are leased out to subscribers.

The lawsuit claims that “unauthorized broadcasting of a secondary, public Wi-Fi network from the customer’s wireless router subjects the customer to potential security risks, in the form of enabling a stranger who wishes to access the Internet through the customer’s household router, with the customer having no option to authorize or otherwise control such use.” The suit goes on to say that “upon information and belief, any activity on the Xfinity Wi-Fi Hotspot will appear as though it originated from the Comcast customer’s IP address.”

A Comcast FAQ says the public hotspots are "completely separate from your secure Wi-Fi home network" and contend that there is no risk of cross access or communication. Furthermore Comcast ensures users that because the public Wi-Fi signal these features provide is treated as a separate connection, you won’t get into trouble for anything anyone does with it. It should be a separate IP address and usage will be associated with the account the other person signs on with.

Security risks aside the lawsuit also claims that end users with these 'hotspot enabled' routers are subject to higher electricity bills and slower overall connections speeds. Another claim that Comcast has previously defended in regards to the hotspots, saying they use minimal extra power, do not pose security risks because they are walled off from each customer’s private network, and do not cause any noticeable performance drop.

Although the hotspots are turned on by default, customers can turn them off by calling 1-800-XFINITY or online at http://customer.comcast.com/.  More details can also be found in our previous report here.

Comcast Looks to Cut Service Call Wait Times With New Technician Tracking Tool

We've all been there, stuck sitting at home waiting for the service tech to come out because our phone, internet or cable hasn't been working. Often times we are held hostage with a 'service window' that generally runs between 2 and 4 hours with no option but to still and wait. Now it appears as though we may see some changes, at least for Comcast wait times.

In Thursday blog post titled "Your time is valuable; we don't want to waste it," Comcast customer service chief Charlie Herrin detailed a new service that will give customers alerts 30 minutes before a technician shows up. This new feature, which will be available for free through Comcast's MyAccount app.

This is how it works. Customers with scheduled appointments will be alerted through the App on their smartphone when the Comcast technician is about 30 minutes away from arriving at their house, and will be able to track this technician’s progress on a map. This means no more sitting around waiting, as you can check the tech's progress from just about anywhere. So you can run those short errands and still be back in time to let them in!

Comcast also promises that if they are running late, which we all know all too often an happens, they will let those customers know that as well, and provide real-time status updates so they can plan accordingly.

Currently the App and service is on beta trial for those customers in the Boston area. However, Comcast hopes that with their feedback they will be able to refine the service and get it up and running in other areas soon.

Comcast Turning Customer Connections Into Massive Public Wi-Fi Hotspot Network

Comcast Xfinity subscribers take note, Comcast is actively rolling out an update to your service you may not even be aware of. An update that turns on a little known feature enabling your Xfinity router to be turned into a public hotspot!

Comcast is making headlines this week and not in a good way! We've already seen a number of stories, most notably from The Houston Chronicle, detailing the on-going roll-out of the new Comcast Xfinity Wifi service. The service, when switched on, provides internet access to Xfinity subscribers through the use of other current Xfinity subscriber's internet connections.

At the heart of the story: Comcast is turning some of the Wi-Fi routers placed in the homes of current subscribers into a “massive public Wi-Fi hotspot network,” but it’s doing so without giving customers the opportunity to opt out before the service is rolled out.

The new Xfinity Wifi service roll-out is in fact not new and the spread has been in effect for some time. However, it is just now starting to garner the attention it deserves!

Comcast says the hotspot – which appears as “xfinitywifi” to those searching for a Wi-Fi connection – is completely separate from the home network. Someone accessing the Net through the hotspot can’t get to the computers, printers, mobile devices, streaming boxes and more sitting on the host network. Comcast officials also say that people using the Internet via the hotspot won’t slow down Internet access on the home network. Additional capacity is allotted to handle the bandwidth.

However, we feel a bit skeptical of those claims. Security is always a concern when you have any outside access. There may also be concerns over piracy and other malicious acts. Even though Comcast assures users that they shouldn't be liable for any actions taken on the Xfinity WiFi as it’s set on a different track from your own.

How To Disable Comcast Xfinity WiFi Hotspot

Several different models of Wi-Fi routers are affected by this change-over, and Comcast does allow the service to be shut off. If you’ve got an Arris Touchstone Telephony Wireless Gateway Modem from Comcast, it’s likely you have or will have "xfinitywifi" turned on at some point. To turn this service off, you have only to do the following:

• Log into your Comcast account page at customer.comcast.com.
• Click on Users & Preferences.
• Look for a heading on the page for “Service Address.” Below your address, click the link that reads “Manage Xfinity WiFi.”
• Click the button for “Disable Xfinity Wifi Home Hotspot.”
• Click Save

Users only have the opportunity to disable the service after it’s activated. Meaning if you do not see a "Manage Xfinity Wi-fi" link, you do not have a home hotspot active. If you do not have a home hotspot active, you will not be able to disable it - because it isn’t there. A Comcast FAQ section further details Xfinity Wi-Fi.

Conclusion
Personally I hate opt-out services! Even though Comcast reportedly sent out notices about the hotspot feature, and email notifications will supposedly go out after it’s turned on, the feature is being turned on without its subscribers’ prior consent and you have to take action to not participate. I feel that should be the other way around. Comcast should have to get user consent before switching on the service. After all how many of us out there really read all those notices coming from Comcast?

What are your thoughts? Should customer be concerned that their internet connections are being opened up for public use? Share your thoughts in a comment below!

Comcast Xfinity App Now Offers Offline Viewing

There certainly isn't a shortage of apps that allow for the streaming of movies and TV shows to your tablet or smartphone. But even with this plethora of applications there are relatively few that allow you to download content for offline viewing. Enter the newly updated Comcast Xfinity TV Player app for Android and Apple's iOS.

The new app allows Comcast Xfinity subscribers to not only stream TV Shows and movies from your favorite networks, including premium channels like HBO, Starz, Showtime, Cinemax and cable channels like TNT, TBS, Cartoon Network and BBC America but it now allows you to download movies and TV shows from Encore, MoviePlex, Showtime, and Starz for offline viewing (and yes you need to be subscribed to those premium channels in your cable package to be able to download content).

You'll have the choice between "medium" and "highest" quality resolution with the later being the best visual quality however at a much larger file size. The difference in file size is quit large. For instance to get "21 Jump Street" at highest quality you'll need 2.4GB of free space. However, the medium-quality version consumes just 478MB. Something to take into consideration when adding movies!

The Comcast Xfinity TV Player app works on Android phone or tablet running Android 2.3 and higher. On the iOS side, it works with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and 4S, the third, fourth and fifth generation iPad touch devices, and iPads. The Xfinity TV Player version 1.2 requires Apple’s iOS 5.0 or later and is optimized for the iPhone 5.

Note that this is not the same app as the Xfinity TV app, so be sure you have the correct app installed before looking for downloads.

So far there has been no word from Comcast about the availability of downloadable content for other channels, though I suspect they will eventually add a few more. I know I'd like to see HBO on there so I can download Game of Thrones so I can fix going even when I'm on the go.

Comcast Turns On Free Wi-Fi For California Xfinity Customers

Comcast Xfinity Internet customers in California now have a new perk as the company has announced it has begun rolling out free Wi-Fi via "a few thousand" Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the state. The new program will allow Comcast Xfinity Internet or Comcast Business Class Internet customers access to Wi-Fi on their mobile device in public areas throughout Northern and Central California and Santa Barbara County, including the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, Fresno, Monterey, Santa Maria and Chico.

"Our customers are increasingly leveraging wireless devices, platforms and apps, and looking for ways to enjoy their entertainment and communications outside of their homes," Elaine Barden, regional vice president of marketing for Comcast California, said in a statement. "With Xfinity WiFi, we're providing them a fast wireless Internet experience while they're out shopping, eating or otherwise enjoying their time in Northern and Central California."

To access the Xfinity WiFi, users should look for "xfinitywifi" connect to the XFINITY WiFi network and launch your browser. The browser will redirect you to XFINTY WiFi sign-in page (if you don’t see the sign-in page, you may have to type a different address in your Web browser - such as www.google.com - to be redirected to the XFINITY WiFi sign-in page). Sign in using your Comcast.net email address or username and password, then start browsing the Web! You can use either your primary or a secondary username and password to sign in to XFINITY WiFi.

A map of available hotspots as well as directions for using the services is posted on xfinity.com/wifi.

Looking at the map of northern California it looks like Comcast has fairly good coverage in both Sacramento and the Bay Area. I noticed several hot spots located all the way to the suburbs. Comcast said it will continue to install additional hotspots in more areas throughout California throughout the year.

Apart from Sacramento and the Bay Area the new Comcast network is in the following markets: Aptos, Atwater, Buellton, Cameron Park, Carmel, Chico, Chowchilla, Colusa, Corcoran, Davis, Diamond Springs, Dinuba, El Dorado Hills, ElkGrove, Fairfield, Folsom, Fresno, Galt, Grass Valley, Hanford, Kerman, Lathrop, Lemoore, Lodi,Lompoc, Los Banos, Madera, Manteca, Marysville, Mendota, Merced, Modesto, Monterey, Murphys, Nevada City, Newman, Oakdale, Oroville, Parlier, Patterson, Placerville, Rancho Cordova, Reedley, Roseville, Sacramento, Salinas, San Andreas, Sanger, Santa Maria, Selma, Solvang, Sonora, Soquel, Stockton, Tracy, Tulare, Twain Harte, Vacaville, Vallejo, Visalia, Willows and Yuba City.

Skype Teams With Comcast For HD Video Calling On Your TV

Comcast and Skype today announced that the two companies have entered into a partnership that will allow Comcast customers to utilize Sype's HD video calling on their televisions. The new service would allow any Comcast customer to dial up their friends' Skype accounts and chat with them live while watching a TV show whether their friends and family use Skype on their home TVs, PCs, compatible smartphones or tablets.

In a joint press release the two companies outlined their plans for the new program. Announcing that beginning this month they would be rolling out customer trials. Details are pretty sparse at the moment with further product details expected to be made available later this year.

Here are a few features customers can expect:

• Make and receive Skype video and audio calls, or send instant messages via Skype on a television while watching their favorite TV show at the same time, and accept incoming calls during a TV show with the help of Caller ID.
• Make and receive video and audio calls, or send instant messages via Skype on a compatible mobile phone or tablet.
• Import friends to their address book from their Facebook, Outlook, Gmail and smartphone contact lists, find them on Skype and see when contacts are online and available to talk.

"Our unique relationship with Skype not only will change how our customers interact with their TV, but also will create new and meaningful ways to bring our customers closer to the people they care about," said Neil Smit, President, Comcast Cable. "TV has evolved into a social experience, and Comcast and Skype will be delivering a product that personalizes the TV experience even more, and brings friends and family together through the biggest screen in their homes."

Tony Bates, CEO, Skype, said, "We are pleased to announce this partnership with Comcast. By combining Comcast's broad living room reach with Skype's innovative communications platform and worldwide community of users, we can bring video calling into the heart of the home allowing people to share life's experiences both big and small."

This service will be delivered on the Comcast customer's HDTV through an adaptor box, a high-quality video camera, and a specially designed remote control that enables customers to text on Skype as well as control their television. The other calling party does not need any special equipment beyond what is needed to use Skype.

Comcast customers will also be able to access mobile features through Comcast's Xfinity Mobile app, and continue to enjoy conversations by switching from one compatible device (e.g., smartphone, tablet or television) to another.

Comcast Settles P2P Throttling Case

Earlier this week Comcast decided to settle a class action lawsuit broght forth by several customers who were using popular P2P programs like Ares, BitTorrent, eDonkey, FastTrack or Gnutella P2P protocols. P2P users claimed wrong doing by the Cable company stating Comcast’s practice of throttling P2P connections was “data discrimination”.

Comcast, looking to stave off what could be a more damning judgment has given up on at least one of the court cases its facing and agreed to settle to the tune of $16M USD.  According tot he terms of the settlement Comcast won't admit any wrong doing instead handing over approximately $16/person affected.

Comcast stands by their throttling approach stating it has every right to "manage" its traffic and says the settlement was because it wanted to "avoid a potentially lengthy and distracting legal dispute that would serve no useful purpose."

Despite the fact they won't admit wrong doing the good news is that Comcast subscribers who "live in the United States or its Territories, have a current or former Comcast High-Speed Internet account, and either used or attempted to use Comcast service to use the Ares, BitTorrent, eDonkey, FastTrack or Gnutella P2P protocols at any time from April 1, 2006 to December 31, 2008; and/or Lotus Notes to send emails any time from March 26, 2007 to October 3, 2007" are entitled to a $16 piece of the settlement pie.

For more details on joining the settlement visit the Hart v Comcast of Alamenda P2P Settlement Website

Comcast Wants To Put TV Shows On Your Cell Phone

Comcast Corp, one of the nations leading cable companies, said Wednesday it plans to offer subscribers the option to watch their favorite TV shows on mobile devices through its new wireless Internet service.

Back in June the company announced the roll out of their new Highspeed2go platform. At that time Comcast announced plans to offer not just internet but bundled service such as phone and television products.

The new 4G wireless high-speed data service features two plans. The first plans is the $49.99/mo Fast Pack Metro service includes Comcast’s 12 Mbps home Internet service, a free WiFi router for mobility and extended coverage in the home, and 4G service that will provide up to 4 Mbps download speed when customers are on the go. Or for an additional $20 per month, consumers can upgrade to the Fast Pack Nationwide service that includes the same services plus nationwide 3G mobile network access.

Additional plan features include:

• Comcast High-Speed 2go Metro service uses a 4G-only data card giving customers the fastest wireless service within the 4G metro coverage area. The Metro device operates only in a 4G service footprint.
• Comcast High-Speed 2go Nationwide service delivers the fastest metro 4G service plus coast-to-coast access on Sprint’s national 3G network. The Nationwide device automatically switches between available 4G and

Comcast Expands Online Video Content, Now Features 23 Networks

Comcast has been busy over the past few days expanding their online content catalog. As of today Comcast subscribers will now have the ability to watch popular shows from 23 major networks online for free.

Just days after last week's announcement that Starz Entertainment joined the online on-demand trial Comcast announced that HBO, Cinemax and CBS would also participate in the new program. (read the full press releases: CBS to Participate in Comcast's On Demand Online Nationwide Trial - Home Box Office and Comcast to Launch HBO® and Cinemax® On Broadband for the First Time Nationally Through On Demand Online)

The HBO and Cinemax broadband services will be available as part of Comcast’s On Demand Online trial, accessible via Comcast.net and Fancast.com.

The HBO and Cinemax broadband services will initially provide a combined total of 750 hours a month of programming and will grow over time. HBO and Cinemax will greatly enhance On Demand Online’s line-up which already includes hit programming from Time Warner Inc.’s Turner networks TNT and TBS, as well as Starz.

At launch, the HBO and Cinemax broadband services on Comcast’s On Demand Online will include:

• Full-length episodes of current and classic HBO series like True Blood, Hung, Entourage, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Wire, Sex and the City, The Sopranos and Real Time with Bill Maher.
• Popular theatrical movies including Transformers, The Dark Knight, Tropic Thunder, Atonement, Brokeback Mountain, Michael Clayton, Shrek the Third, Kung Fu Panda, Get Smart, The Bourne Ultimatum, The X-Files: I Want to Believe. Titles coming soon include: Juno, Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears A Who, Mama Mia! and Burn After Reading.
• Top classic films such as Jurassic Park, Big, Mrs. Doubtfire, Speed and Rosemary’s Baby.
• HBO Family programming including enduring favorites like Harold and the Purple Crayon.

Following the launch, HBO and Cinemax programming will be updated frequently, with subscribers having the ability to choose from a number of programs in HD including HBO Films, series, documentaries, sports, specials and comedy as well as theatrical films. Customers will be able to view certain new programs online immediately after they air on television and will have access to an extensive library of past programming.

With CBS joining the fray they become the first broadcast network to participate in Comcast’s technical trial of On Demand Online. During the course of the trial, CBS plans to test various types of current and library content.

CBS, HBO, Starz and Cinemax will join A&E, AMC, BBC America, DIY Network, Fine Living Network, Food Network, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, History, IFC, MGM Impact, Sundance Channel, WE tv, E! Entertainment, The Style Network, G4 and Fearnet to complete Comcast's current line-up.

Comcast subscribers can log in to Comcast.net and Fancast.com to view the online shows and movies which will be streamed online to computers for now, with downloads to mobile devices possible in the future.

Comcast Launches New High-Speed 2go Wireless Data Service

Comcast Begins National Rollout of High-Speed Wireless Data Service

Portland first to launch Comcast High-Speed 2go with Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia and more launching before year-end 2009

Comcast Corporation, the nation’s leading provider of entertainment, information, and communications products and services, launches its anticipated high-speed wireless data service tomorrow in Portland as the company kicks off its nationwide rollout of Comcast High-Speed 2go.

Comcast’s High-Speed 2go is a fourth-generation or 4G wireless high-speed data service that provides the fastest available wireless Internet in the nation via wireless data cards. Comcast will be selling this wireless service bundled with one or more of its popular Internet, phone and television products, providing mobile broadband where ever and whenever customers need to be connected.

“With Comcast’s wideband Internet, we already offer one of the fastest wired connections available today. Now with the launch of High-Speed 2go, we also deliver the nation’s fastest wireless Internet,” said Cathy Avgiris, senior vice president and general manager for wireless and voice services at Comcast. “Innovation through mobility is one of many advances Comcast is providing consumers in the area of entertainment, information and communications. Comcast High-Speed 2go now gives consumers the best of both worlds, the fastest fast at home and on the go. In today’s world, consumers don’t want to be disconnected for even a minute and now Comcast provides wired and wireless access – a combination consumers won’t want to live without.”

Comcast is selling two different data cards and service plans:

• Comcast High-Speed 2go Metro service uses a 4G-only data card giving customers the fastest wireless service within the 4G metro coverage area. The Metro device operates only in a 4G service footprint.
• Comcast High-Speed 2go Nationwide service delivers the fastest metro 4G service plus coast-to-coast access on Sprint’s national 3G network. The Nationwide device automatically switches between available 4G and 3G networks.

The world-class services Comcast is known for in the home are beginning to be extended to where consumers work, live and play. High-speed mobile Internet is one of the first products consumers want as a natural extension of Comcast’s super fast wired high-speed Internet. The combination of the two is a unique proposition and the only package of its kind available in Portland today.

Bundled Pricing
For the first time, consumers will have bundled access to both the fastest wired and wireless internet in the nation - sold together at launch as a “Fast Pack” for as low as $49.99 per month for one year. Both new and existing Comcast customers will be eligible for special bundled pricing, with Triple Play customers receiving 4G wireless as an add-on for as low as $30 per month. Visit www.comcast.com/highspeed2go for additional pricing plans and service packages.

The $49.99 Fast Pack Metro service includes Comcast’s 12 Mbps home Internet service, a free WiFi router for mobility and extended coverage in the home, and 4G service that will provide up to 4 Mbps download speed when customers are on the go. For an additional $20 per month, consumers can upgrade to the Fast Pack Nationwide service that includes the same services plus nationwide 3G mobile network access.

Comcast also will be selling High-Speed 2go to small-to-mid-sized businesses through Comcast Business Services sales teams. As the nation’s largest video provider, largest residential ISP and the third-largest residential phone provider, Comcast now has the ability to provide wireless mobility to consumers in a combination that is both competitive and differentiated from any bundled services on the market today.

Comcast is selling wireless data services following its investment in Clearwire in November 2008. Comcast’s 4G service will be provided via the Clearwire network, and its 3G service will be provided by Sprint’s nationwide 3G network. Comcast is one of the first investors in Clearwire to bring a service to market and expects that it will continue to add value to existing bundled products.

Source: Comcast Press Release

Green Day Teaming With Comcast For Exlusive Video Content

Comcast Partners With Green Day To Provide Exclusive First Look At Live Performances From New Album

More than 30 Green Day Videos, Concerts and Behind-the-Scenes Footage Also Available Together for the First Time in HD

Philadelphia – May 6, 2009 – Comcast is providing exclusive, advance access to live performances from Green Day’s first new album in nearly five years, “21st Century Breakdown” due out on Reprise Records on Friday, May 15th, as well as more than 30 of the band’s videos and concerts in HD, the company announced today. Comcast Corporation, the nation’s leading provider of entertainment, information and communications, is providing this one-of-a-kind HD collection, including 10 live songs from a recently recorded concert at Oakland’s Fox Theater - in HD - along with the music video for the album’s first single, “Know Your Enemy,” starting May 7, On Demand and on comcast.net/greenday. Comcast also has created a breakthrough television ad featuring the band performing the new single.

"Comcast is debuting an exclusive collection of 30 Green Day videos, plus live performances of nine songs from the band's yet unreleased new album, all in crystal-clear HD," said Derek Harrar, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Video Services for Comcast. “If you like music and you like HD, Comcast is a must have.”

"The Comcast On Demand service brings people who weren't able to attend the Fox Theatre show right to the performance, allowing us another way to connect with our fans," says Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong. "The technology is amazing — now people can watch this performance, as well as 30 of our videos whenever they want either on TV or on the web."

As part of this partnership, these brand new videos of live performances from a soon-to-be-legendary Green Day concert, which David Fricke of Rolling Stone described as a “stunning” performance of music from “Green Day’s best album,” the upcoming “21st Century Breakdown,” two videos will debut On Demand every week for five weeks. Comcast will make this content, including an exclusive interview with the band discussing the making of the new album, available On Demand under “Top Picks,” under “Green Day HD” and on comcast.net/greenday. With 50-60 million music videos watched every month, music continues to be one of the most popular categories of On Demand programming and Comcast offers everything from videos to live performances across a wide range of music genres.

Comcast’s Green Day partnership, blockbuster movies, new television series and other new viewing choices are part of the company’s commitment to deliver exponentially more quality content choice on TV, including more HD, sports, movies, kids’ programs and network TV shows. On Demand currently offers customers thousands of kids and family entertainment choices among the more than 10,000 programs available throughout the course of a month, including more than 1,000 choices in HD available at any time. Currently, Comcast customers view more than 300 million On Demand programs a month.

Comcast Taking OnDemand Online

Comcast Corp. is reportedly looking at options that would expand many of the companies cable television services to online subscribers. "OnDemand Online," as it is reportedly being called, would work just like the normal Comcast OnDemand service, allowing users to watch some of their favorite shows directly from the web at no additional cost.

Comcast customers would be able to stream videos, movies, music and possible more directly to your PC, however according to comments on Business insider users using the service would see the bandwidth count against Comcast's 250 GB bandwidth cap just like any other internet based video service.

According to the Wall Street Journal both Comcast has been in discussions with network owners Viacom Inc., Time Warner Inc. and General Electric Co.'s NBC Universal, among others. These companies own such prominent networks as USA, TNT and MTV.

My take:
I have nothing against what Comcast is trying to do afterall recieveing more services for my money would be a great thing. The problem I see here is that this is likely to be a bundled service where as you have to have both Comcast cable and Comcast internet to use it. So the question would seem to be why would I want to use OnDemand Online if I already have it on my TV?

Outside of watching a movie from time to time I rarely use Comcast's current service. I find there aren't enough of the shows I like to watch on there and the ones I do want to watch aren't free. So I either visit Hulu.com or wait for the show to show up on the networks site. If Comcast sticks with their current offerings then sadly I'd see no benefit for the service.

Comcast Continues To Expand Its 50Mbps Service

On Thursday Comcast announced the expansion of its DOCSIS 3.0 service to four more markets: Chicago, Atlanta, Baltimore, and Ft. Wayne, Indiana. The company now offers wideband 50Mbps services in 10 cities. Overall Comcast claims it now reaches 20 percent of its customer base with the addition of those four markets and by the end of December, 10 million homes and businesses in each of the cities will be able to sign up for the service.

"This means we also reached Brian Roberts’ stated goal of reaching 20% of our footprint this year." a Comcast representative said in an email.

As previously reported Comcast's New Residential Tiers will be as follows:

• Extreme 50, offering up to 50 Mbps of downstream speed and up to 10 Mbps of upstream speed at $139.95/month.
• Ultra, offering up to 22 Mbps of downstream speed and up to 5 Mbps of upstream speed at $62.95/month.

Services for current customers will also receive an upgrade, Performance tier customers will get double their downstream and upstream speeds, to 12 Mbps and 2 Mbps, respectively, Performance Plus customers, meanwhile, will be upgraded to Comcast's Blast tier, which provides a 16 Mbps download speed and 2 Mbps of upload speed.

Popular ISP and Broadband forums DSL Reports has been reporting users are taking advantage of the performance upgrades to downgrading to a cheaper service.

One recurring theme we've seen in our forums is that the new speeds have many users downgrading. In both forum threads and polls, many customers on Comcast's 16Mbps/2Mbps tier say they're downgrading to their 12Mbps/2Mbps tier -- apparently because they don't think an additional 4Mbps downstream is worth $10. Customers used to be willing to pay the additional $10 for double the upstream speed, but there's no longer an upstream difference between the tiers.

Typically a user will see little difference between a 16Mbps service and a 12Mbps service as download speeds are dependent on too many other factors. The upload differences from 1Mbps to 2Mbps however is more substantial and noticeable. The new service is also creating ruffles with many users complaining that the newly imposed 250gb monthly cap is far to low. With these new speeds and Comcast seemingly advertising the use of its service for downloading videos and high-def movies passing that cap seems much more likely.

Comcast Expands 50 Mbps Wideband To Pacific Northwest

Comcast has announced that their new 50 Mbps wideband service will begin rolling out starting in December in Washington and Oregon. This includes Seattle, Portland, Eugene and Spokane (and everywhere in between).

With wideband, Comcast will offer among the fastest speeds available today, including the Extreme 50 tier with download speeds of up to 50 Mbps. Wideband will also enable Comcast to double speeds for the majority of existing high-speed Internet customers at no additional cost.

“Wideband is a revolutionary leap in offering superfast high-speed Internet service in Oregon and Southwest Washington. By running wideband service over our next-generation fiber-optic network, we are able to dramatically enhance our customers’ online experience immediately. And these speeds are only a preview of what’s to come—in the future we’ll have the capability to deliver even faster speeds in excess of 160 Mbps,” said Curt Henninger, Senior Vice President of Comcast Oregon and SW Washington. “Today’s announcement reaffirms Comcast’s commitment to offering nearly every customer in the Northwest the ability to enjoy some of the fastest Internet speeds available today.”

Comcast announced the launch of their new Docsis 3.0 wideband service last month. The service was initially only offered in parts New England, including Boston, New Hampshire Philidelphia and parts of New Jersey.

As part of the wideband deployment, Comcast will launch two new premium speed tiers to its residential and business class customers. Both new services are ideal for households or businesses simultaneously using several computers or Internet-connected devices. They also will appeal to those who simply want some of the fastest speeds available today:

New Residential Tiers

• Extreme 50, offering up to 50 Mbps of downstream speed and up to 10 Mbps of upstream speed at $139.95/month.
• Ultra, offering up to 22 Mbps of downstream speed and up to 5 Mbps of upstream speed at $62.95/month.

For more details read the full Comcast press release.

Comcast Offers 50 Mbps High-Speed Internet Service

In a press release issued yesterday Comcast announced it is making the leap from broadband to wideband with the launch of the next-generation DOCSIS 3.0.

With wideband, Comcast boast that it will offer among the fastest speeds available today, including the Extreme 50 tier at up to 50 Mbps. It will also enable Comcast to double speeds for the majority of existing high-speed Internet customers at no additional cost.

As part of the wideband deployment, Comcast will launch two new premium speed tiers to its residential and business class customers. Both services are ideal for households or businesses simultaneously using several computers or Internet-connected devices. They also will appeal to those who simply want some of the fastest speeds available in the U.S. today:

New Residential Tiers:

• Extreme 50, offering up to 50 Mbps of downstream speed and up to 10 Mbps of upstream speed at $139.95/month.
• Ultra, offering up to 22 Mbps of downstream speed and up to 5 Mbps of upstream speed at $62.95/month.

In addition to the new high speed offerings Comcast will be increasing speeds for most of its existing customers at no additional charge. The new speeds will be as follows"

• Performance tier customers will benefit from doubled downstream and upstream speeds, offering up to 12 Mbps and 2 Mbps, respectively.
• Performance Plus customers will be upgraded to Comcast’s Blast! tier, which will double their download speeds to up to 16 Mbps and provide up to 2 Mbps of upload speed.

Initial Comcast’s new services will only be available in the eastern U.S.. According to Comcast they'll be starting with millions of residential homes and businesses in parts of New England, including the Boston Metropolitan region and Southern New Hampshire, as well as areas of Philadelphia and New Jersey. Comcast plans to continue to roll out wideband across its footprint and expects to reach more than 10 major markets and pass nearly 10 million homes and businesses in the next several months.

Personally I don't need a speed increase, my current Comcast speeds suit me just fine. So Comcast instead of rolling out over priced high speed tiers why not cut prices? Or heck instead of doubling my speeds for free why not give me the option of a lower monthly payment and remain at the same speeds?

Comcast Offers Free Basic Cable For A Year

In an attempt at snatching up new subscribers ahead of a government-mandated digital TV switch-over on Feb. 17, Comcast will be offering new customers free basic cable programming with another paid Comcast service, such as Internet or phone.

Comcast said new customers who choose not to subscribe to additional Comcast services can get basic cable for just $10 a month for a full year.

Basic cable is pretty much just that, the basics, in most areas you'll receive 20 to 30 channels, including free-to-air local broadcast channels like ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX as well as shopping and local public TV channels.

Cable companies are looking to cash in on some of the confusion over the government-mandated switch-off of analog TV signals next year. Studies have shown there is still a great deal of confusion over the switch and cables companies figure they'll offer a "cheap and easy" solution to get new customers. Basic cable does not require any new equipment, which will be a plus for many customers, however you'll still need to have cable installed.

After the digital changeover on Feb. 17, households currently watching TV for free over-the-air will no longer receive analog signals. The majority of these households will need to purchase a new digital converter box. The U.S. government is subsidizing a digital-to-analog converter box that plugs into an existing TV for those that do not have digital televisions, that have digital television without a digital tuner. Consumers can buy the box through a government coupon program, which goes toward buying the box at retail prices of around $40 to $70.

For more information on the digital TV transition and the DTV coupon program please visit out previous posts: Digital TV Converter Box Program - Upgraded Guide To Buying Digital Converter Boxes

Comcast Sets 250-gigabyte Monthly Cap

Last week Comcast announced that beginning Oct. 1 it will have a 250G-byte cap on monthly residential bandwidth, with the broadband provider saying it may send warnings to subscribers who go over the limit or exhibit excessive usage. If a subscriber goes over the limit a second time within a six-month period after getting an initial warning, Comcast will suspend the customer's account for a year.

According to Charlie Douglas, Comcast's director of communications, less than 1 percent of users will be affected by the limit, and customers who go over the 250G-byte cap will not automatically be warned, depending on whether they are in that top 1 percent.

Comcast has yet to clarify what is covered by the cap, for instance it's unclear whether Comcast traffic, including VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) service, would be counted in the cap. However unlikely it may seem Comcast digital voice users might just be getting a cold shoulder in the deal.

Critics are quick to point out that while 250GB may seem like a lot (and for an average user it might be), add in things like a gaming console (PS3 or xBox), Vonage, Skype and services like Blockbusters new on-demand video rental, on-demand TV like Hulu or Joost and the bandwidth usage adds up quickly.

That's not even mentioning the occasional HD movie rental from iTunes, catching up with your favorite shows via streaming video or watching YouTube videos for a couple of days. Just because the average user only uses a computer to send emails does not mean there is not a substantial portion of users who use a lot of bandwidth on a daily basis, and no, not for piracy-related matters.

I think Comcast needs to re-think what the "average" user is.