BOSTON-Comcast Corp. launched wireless service in partnership with Sprint Nextel Corp. in two markets: Boston and Portland, Ore.
Comcast’s Mobile Access service is “a new arrangement from Comcast and Sprint that will make it easier for you to access all your home and entertainment needs on your Sprint wireless phone wherever you are,” according to Comcast’s Web site. The company added that customers will be able to “watch mobile TV channels, check your e-mail and make unlimited calls from your wireless phone to your Comcast Digital Voice home phone.”
The launch is the first commercial offering of services from Sprint Nextel’s joint venture with several cable companies, including Comcast and Time Warner Cable. Services from the joint venture had been expected to launch in this quarter.
Comcast indicated that the service can be accessed via four handsets: the LG Electronics Co. Ltd. Fusic, and the 8400, 2400 and Katana from Sanyo Corp.
Activating the service requires a minimum purchase of wireless service and cable service from Comcast, although Comcast tells its customers that “to get the full value of Mobile Access service, it is best to have” a bundle including cable, Voice over Internet Protocol phone service and high-speed Internet along with the wireless service.
The Mobile Access service is being sold at both Comcast and Sprint Nextel retail locations in Boston and Portland. Rate plans choices include:
c $33 per month for 200 anytime minutes
c $43 monthly for 450 minutes
c $63 per month for 900 minutes
c $83 per month for 1,350 minutes
c $103 monthly for 2,000 minutes
Those prices are for one wireless phone line with a two-year customer agreement. All plans include 300 text messages each month, nationwide long distance and no roaming charges. On plans of 450 minutes or more, unlimited Sprint Nextel mobile-to-mobile calling is included. Family plans start at $99 per month for 500 anytime minutes for two wireless lines and one home line, with $66 being charged for wireless and $33 for home VoIP service.
The service also offers converged voicemail and mobile television offerings for $15 or $25 per month. However, Comcast noted that “Comcast Mobile TV does not include the full cable TV channel line-up that subscribers receive on their home cable package.”
