Xfinity launches
Just the other day we announced Xfinity on the blog. Well, today it is launching in 11 markets (Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Chicago, Portland, Seattle, Hartford, Augusta, Chattanooga, parts of the Bay Area and San Francisco) and bringing with it cool stuff like 100+ HD channels, lots of ethnic channels, more than 19,000 TV shows and movies online and Internet speeds of 50-100Mbps. Basically, Xfinity is all about more of the stuff that you love anywhere you want it.
And who doesn’t love a good ad? Check out the new Xfinity ad that will be debuting tonight during the Olympics opening ceremony:
Let us know what you think of the ad in the comments (bonus points if you can identify the voice).
The ad, we hope, gives you a good sense of what Xfinity is all about, but we’ve been hearing some questions about Xfinity and thought it would be a good idea to answer them here on the blog:
What is Xfinity?
Xfinity is the new name for Comcast’s technology platform, products, and services. When we rollout Xfinity in a market the names of our products become: Xfinity TV, Xfinity Internet, and XFinity Voice. Xfinity isn’t just a new name, it also brings with it the ability to get up to 100+ HD channels, nearly 20,000 movies and tv shows online and On Demand, and Internet speeds of 50 Mbps today, but we’ll offer 100 Mbps or even more in the future.
Is the Comcast name going away?
No, our company name remains Comcast. You’ll see in our advertising that Xfinity is “Powered by Comcast.”
Where does the name Xfinity come from?
Xfinity is all about the sense of having an "infinite" or ever increasing number of choices as well as having cross-platform features (that’s the “X”.) like caller ID on the TV and PC or the ability to watch video online.
We’ve been working on an initiative called “Project Infinity” for awhile now (Brian Roberts, our CEO, introduced it at CES in January 2008). Project Infinity is all about more content in more places for our customers. Couple this with major upgrades to all our services to make a number of cross platform products possible (rDVR, DOCSIS 3.0) you get to the root of the name Xfinity.
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Comments (43)
Qwest, Comcast, and now Xfinity. These companies are the worst with whom I've ever dealt. Can Xfinity take over Comcast and double the cost of my internet? I want more REGULATION!
The voice for this commercial sounds like the actor John Hamm...am I right?
Also, would it have been too much trouble for your DTAs to output baseband video? This would allow users to do the fix they normally do with their cable box to allow their HDTVs to view unencrypted (local) QAM high def channels. This was to split the cable, use RCAs from the cable box to the TV, and use the QAM/ATSC tuner in their TV for HD channels. But the DTAs won't allow for this without using an A/B switch.
So basically, XFINITY means "bandwith reallocation." This means you will NEED a Comcast-provided box (or cablecard) between your TV and Comcast. This abandons the status quo of cable. That is, if you are provided with cable TV you can send it wherever you want in your house to whichever TV you want. And it's shocking to think that Comcast expects consumers to pay extra for non-local HD channels. Is this indefinite? In 2025 will there still be cable boxes sending crappy modulated signals to beautiful flat screens? Or is this just a way to enact a price increase? When's the point where Comcast says "HD is now the norm, and all of our content providers are sending us HD-only, so we'll just call HD the standard for television." You don't charge me extra for a box that sends my TV color signals instead of black and white, after all.
Matt, since Verizon announced that it will not be serving the City of Alexandria, Comcast has no impetus to upgrade its pitiful service here. (http://alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/citizen/info/verizon030910.pdf) But never mind Xfinity -- I'd be happy with basic cable at this point. Our cable has been completely out in our neighborhood since Dominion Power replaced a transformer pole toppled by Thursday's storm, and the repairman that Comcast finally sent this evening, Laurel and Hardy, seem clueless.
Who produced the music for the Xfinity adds?
You better remove the 250 GB cap. Also, come on, let us have our own servers, and give us a break, say the exact internet speeds in the xf packages. Why did you change your normal triple play packages to say xfinity, that is very misleading.
Since the launch of Xfinity my internet speed has been reduced. Will that be corrected soon?
The excessive use policy doesn't change? What?
100 Mbps would mean you can hit the 250 gigabyte cap in under 6 hours.
6 hours of internet per month? That sounds horrible.
Feel the same way as Matt. It sounded like we'd be getting more HD channels but when I checked to see when my area would be upgraded I found that it was. The only difference I have found is the name of the service on my bill.
I'd be happy to find out that I'm missing something here.
100+ HD channels? Right, Comcast. Even though I see the xfinity ads on TV (not in HD BTW), and I see that my bill now mentions xfinity, I still have the same limited number of HD channels as before, and still have the same outdated and inferior guide. If you're not going to upgrade this area (Alexandria, VA), fine. Don't lie to us saying that we're going to get all these new features, and then the only real change is what my service is called on my bill.
I want actual dates when these supposededly new features are to become available in my area, not vague and ultimately empty promises. Tell me exactly what is going to happen and when. What new channels and what new services. If you really care about your customers, as you say everyone I call with a complaint or problem, then this is a simple question to answer.
up to 100+ HD channels?
So you will only be allowed at least one hundred channels in HD? That is quite a paradox comcast has created!
Are there actual numbers here? like how many hd channels? what resolution is comcast going to be broadcasting in? my TV looks pretty nice, but it sure aint' no 1080p
I noticed on my latest bill that everything now is "Xfinity", like my cable or internet service, yet I see no new features or HD channels, like the commercials lead me to believe. I live in Alexandria, VA, and I agree with Matthew below. This area is woefully underserved by Comcast, and based off the lack of updates or anything new with "Xfinity", it seems like this area is being slighted once again, and we still have to pay the same amount for the subpar service. The day Fios becomes available in this area, I will be first in line.
VOICE.. JON HAMM
I HAVE COMCAST DIGITAL...If I choose Xfinity do have need equipment to do so and what is the difference in cost.....I have high speed do I need to get a new equipment, how will Xfinity be a benefit...Can I get Xfinty on -internet to watch full tv episodes and moves ......thank you
my problem is the upload speeds, i just upgraded to extreme 50 andwhile the downloads are extremely fast my upload speeds has barely changed i could get 6 even 7 mbps upload before the upgrade and the highest ive gotten since then is 8. i was hoping for at least 10 in upload speed, if only for online games.
frankly if i see any high speed offers in my area for a faster upload speed i will jump on it immediately. i've seen verizon offer 25/25 download/upload speeds in other markets. why is comcast 50/10? it makes little sense, especially when what i want most is upload speed. seems hardly worth the $99.99 a month
I'm guessing the spokesperson is Jon Hamm? Mr. Don Draper from Mad Men? just a guess...
Ron is correct. I had the 50/10 service and kept getting calls from comcast, eventually i picked up and said that i have gone over my 250gb bandwidth for the month.... how much did i go over?? 750 gb.. so is this going to even be worth getting?
Anyone who has 100Mbps run to their home better have more than 250GB of combined bandwidth to transfer in 30 days. While Comcast seems uninterested in the concerns of a small portion of their customer base so long as the "vast majority" are unaffected speaks to your consistently poor customer ratings.
On another note, what sort of upload speed is being offered for those who subscribe to the 100Mb/down or 50Mb/down internet packages?
Hey Scott McNulty,
I have a few questions for you about the new XFinity service.
We live in Hanover, PA (zip 17331). As of right now, we're still using an older outated cablebox and modem. The Guide and On Demand interfaces look downright horrible on our three HD tv sets and also run very slow (sometimes freezing). However, relatives who live just 30 minutes from us are able to get Comcast's newest cable boxes/DVR's, have better quality service and have really great features... and they pay the same amount as we do.
So my first question would be if the Hanover, PA area is getting the XFinity service, when will it happen?
Also, will we be able to utilize the "new" features and have access to new equipment. We desperately need it.
Finally, is there anywhere we customers can find a list of new HD channels that come the the Xfinity service?
Thanks for your time! :D
I can't speak to actual time tables, but I can tell you that we're rolling out Xfinity as quickly as we can.
Hey Louie, we've been steadily investing in, and improving, customer service.
In fact, we just posted a blog post that highlights so of what we're doing (what timing!):
http://blog.comcast.com/2010/02/the-comcast-customer-guarantee.html
Hey Deon, Xfinity costs... whatever your Comcast service costs now!
how much will all this cost??
Will the new name/products come with improved service quality and customer service? We ditched Comcast for RCN a few months ago because our internet service kept dropping out and the Comcast techs (and operation in general) seemed incapable of finding the problem. After having them take the same steps over and over again with no solution (isn't that the definition of insanity?), we gave up and switched providers. 100mbps would be great--but Comcast (or should I say "Xfinity") needs to improve their customer service and tech service before I come back.
When is XFINITY going to be launched in your under-served Arlington/Alexandria Virginia area? You list Washington, DC as one of the initial markets you're launching, but it's unclear as to whether we're included in that. Today we have fewer HD channels than most of your other markets, signal problems constantly crop up, the guide GUI is completely outdated and stuck in a 4:3 480i low resolution, and the boxes available to us are older SA/Cisco models. We're in desperate need of an upgrade here!
So here we are in the Chicago area, and Xfinity has launched. Where are all of the HD channels? I had access to 49 HD channels before Xfinity, and I still have access to 49 now.
Ken, you can do all that you mention with our 'slow' connection speeds as well, the Extreme 50 (and 100 soon) will just make that experience better.
As I've said before the vast majority of our customers don't even come close to using 250 gigs a month (most don't even come close to using 25 gigs a month!).
I must agree with Ron in the previous comment. He said it best, you're offering a Ferrari with a 25MPH restriction.
I would want to use a 100Mbps connection for gaming, downloading movies from Netflix, and sharing videos and pictures with the family. With the current restrictions, I'm okay with my current "slow" connection since I can't do that with the new one.
No wonder Comcast has been considered as a "Plan B" for so many people if they can't get another alternative at their house. Policies are horrible.
Promotions are normally marketed based on how well services are doing in a particular region. A majority of the time you can find (under terms and conditions) the words "not available in all areas" or "prices subject to change". Another fact, that you've seemed to neglect is that franchises, and villages get a say in what can and can not be marketed, or sold in the area.
I like the ad - ONLY because the voice sounds like Donald Draper (Jon Hamm) from
Mad Men ~ is it Jon Hamm? Chills
This is all great but I'd be much more interested in getting a new Iguide on my cable box. The user interface of Comcast would look awesome (if it was 1999)
Comcast has thus far "earned" my business by being the only service provider available in my area. Recently AT&T has begun offering service in my area and will be stiff competition. The are heavily marketing, offering great deals, and bragging about the benefits of having AT&T service, such as free DVR service and a much larger number of HD channels. Hopefully Comcast will upgrade in the Atlanta area soon. I can not currently find any good information about a roadmap for upgrades outside the intial markets being upgraded nor can I find any information detailed enough about this upgrade to be able to make a comparison sith AT&T. I am very excited for the monopoly comcast has in my area to be negated and for my neighbors and I to have the opportunity to truely let a service provider earn our business.
I'll be interested to see how it will really perform. I've upgraded to 50mb download/10 up and only get 21mb down/6 up. Now looking for some Comcast alternative which will really get me what I'm paying for.
Ron, our excessive use policy has not changed. Faster speeds allow your downloads, and the like, to happen... well... faster.
The vast majority of our customers don't even come close to using 250GB per month, though we are constantly looking at the data to make sure that our policies continue to make sense for our customers.
So will Xfinity continue to restrict residential subscribers to a 250GB monthly bandwidth cap? If you were to run a constant download at 100Mbps, it would take just over 5 and a half hours to reach 250GB. Buying a Ferrari with the dealer's restriction that you keep it under 25 mph would clearly be a waste of money. How Comcast can offer such speed yet expect no one to use it to its full extent just doesn't make any sense.
Can I make a general suggestion? I would LOVE to see Comcast come out with a small, pint-sized cable box that would work in more places. It doesn't necessarily have to have all the functionality of a full sized cable box, but I am looking for a solution for a TV in the kitchen (don't want a big cable box in the kitchen), TVs mounted on walls (I don't want a box on a shelf), and so on.
If you could create a box, say, the size of the new Digital Transport Adapters, that would be great. You could hide it behind a wall mounted TV or stuff it behind a TV that is on a shelf. CableCARDs are long gone now; sadly no one includes that slot on their TVs. It would be great to get encrypted HD on these type of TVs without having a huge cable box.
I realize tru2way is being worked on but I don't see it becoming a strong contender anytime in the future (I don't believe any of the TVs at 2010 CES show had tru2way as a feature).
Anyway, just something to think about....
50-100Mbps residential speeds is something we've needed in the states for years, and
they've had in Europe for many years already. The fastest I can get right now is 15mbps
and if you live in a FIOS area that's like 30mbps...
I wonder how much internet at 50mbps-100mbps is going to cost a month?
And when it will be available, that'd be awesome.
I love it. Bring on the world of more!!! Can't wait... our area in Reading, PA is only a few months away. By summer we should have a much better expanded channel lineup, and DOCSIS 3.0.
Isn't technology wonderful?
How something more comprehensive showing just what it is you are offering with the product???? I mean how hard is it really to figure out if service is available at an address and then based on that address, tell me what I can get and how much? I would love 100mbps Internet, voice service and more TV choices. But of course, I am going to see it advertised one price, only to call and hear your rep say oh no, it's not available, or oh sure, we can do that, but it's $119.99, not the $79.99 you saw.
I like the new branding, if it is truly something new. But why promote approximately 100 HD channels, when Verizon, DirectTV, and Dish already offer many more HD channels. Instead of always playing catch-up to the other media providers, Comcast-Xfinity should revolutionize the industry and offer 150+ HD channels this year, not at some point in the future. HD channels (not choices) are what most consumers care about. All of the other media industries know that and heavily promote that! Comcast still does not! In the Pittsburgh market we have four choices for media (Dish, DirecTV, Verizon and Comcast). At some point in the future I will finally get 100 HD channels from Comcast, but by then the other providers will already offer 150-200 channels. Why should I continue to stick with Comcast, waiting and waiting for something better?
If you really want to change public opinion about your company, don't just change your name, but prove that you are the best choice for phone, internet, and HD television. Offer a top-tier bundle that goes way above and beyond what FIOS or the satellite providers offer. Most people are willing to pay more for premium products (Apple computers, iPods, iPhones) that are revolutionary. Make Comcast-Xfinity a premium company with a premium product. Make me proud to be a Comcast customer. Let me brag about having the fastest internet and most HD channels!! Make my friends, family and neighbors jealous because I have Comcast-Xfinity! Do it now, not later!
It sounds good, but I'm wondering how much it's going to cost. I'm concerned that I won't be able to get the HD channels I'd like to have without a significant increase in fees. Rolling this out to the very limited market already seems to have had an impact on my service. I used to be able to watch whatever shows I wanted on Fancast as long as I subscribed to the channels. I can no longer do that. While I'm pleased Comcast is looking to the future, I'm not pleased that it seems to be at my expense.
Jon Hamm's voice I'll say!
When is Xfinity coming to Minneapolis-St Paul market; do you have any road map for future market deployments