Comcast is sweetening its voice offering with the inclusion of free text messaging, as well as the ability to transcribe and read voicemail messages.
The new features are included with Comcast’s Xfinity Voice Unlimited Nationwide plan and work with Apple and Android-based smartphones, as well as iPad and iPod Touch devices. Both of the new features can be accessed at the Xfinity Connect Web portal.
The Xfinity Mobile app lets Comcast subscribers send and receive text messages for free using their home phone numbers. Text messaging also is available online via the Xfinity Connect Web portal, which provides access to email, voicemail, Twitter and Facebook, as well as contacts, calendar and DVR management. Alerts can be sent to customer devices so they’ll know when they’ve received a new text and can respond to it right away.
The text messages can be sent to anyone, anywhere in the country, as well as more than three dozen countries, including China, Brazil, Canada and, soon, Mexico, all for free as part of Xfinity Voice. Comcast said more countries would be added in the future.
The transcribed voicemail messages are sent to a Comcast subscriber’s email address, which saves the user from having to log in to check voicemails, listen to messages and then delete them. Messages can be read on any Internet-enabled device, and customers can also request to receive an audio file of the voicemail as an attachment.
“Our customers are communicating in a variety of ways. We’re bringing millions of Xfinity Voice customers free access to innovative features that have typically been associated either with their wireless plans or with business use,” said Cathy Avgiris, executive vice president and general manager of data and communications services. “These new features make it easier for our customers to connect with friends and family on various mobile devices, including smartphones, tablets and laptops. We’re evolving our service to go well beyond a traditional home phone experience and, at the same time, save our customers money on their wireless bills.”