Comcast to let customers make free calls on mobile devices

Comcast is preparing to roll out a new service allowing
customers to make free phone calls or send texts from
their
mobile devices wherever there’s Internet access.

The new app will connect customers to their home phone via
Wi-Fi hot spot or a wireless data plan at no extra charge.
It’s just the latest in the cable giant’s continued
efforts to expand its reach into all areas of
entertainment and communications to fight off broadband
companies threatening its business.

“If you look at this as a theme, right now you’ve Comcast
TV that you can watch on your iPhone your iPad, take it
anywhere you want. Now you can also use that with a phone
so it’s basically an ecosystem of services,” says Steve
Kipp, spokesman with Comcast Washington.

Kipp says company has yet to announce availability for the
new service, called Voice 2go.

With the application, customers will be able to forward
calls from their home numbers to mobile devices, and calls
can be received as long as the device is connected to the
Internet. Subscribers can limit incoming calls by
accepting only those from specific phone numbers,
according to Kipp.

Earlier this week Comcast also announced it was joining
other cable companies to create a nationwide network of
more than 50,000 Wi-Fi hot spots.