Comcast Brings Family and Friends Closer Together with the Launch of Skype on Xfinity Comcast Brings Family and Friends Closer Together with the Launch of Skype on Xfinity (Graphic: Business Wire)
Comcast today announced that Skype on Xfinity®, a new widescreen HD
video calling experience, is now available in Boston and Seattle as the
company begins its nationwide rollout of the service. Before the end of
the week, the service will also be available in the following
metropolitan areas: Atlanta, Augusta, Ga., Chicago, Detroit, Harrisburg,
Pa., Indianapolis, Miami and Pittsburgh. With Skype on Xfinity,
customers are able to make and receive video calls from their TV in HD
picture quality, as well as send and receive instant messages via Skype
while watching TV at the same time.
Were continuing to build innovative communication services like Skype
on Xfinity that will allow our customers to interact in new ways with
the people they care about the most, said Tony Werner, Executive Vice
President and Chief Technology Officer for Comcast Cable. Through our
close collaboration with Skype, we focused on delivering a new product
that brings family and friends together through a high-quality video
calling experience like never before.
Skype on Xfinity is the latest example in a line of innovations through
which Comcast is bringing personalized services to its customers.
Through Skype on Xfinity, customers will be able to:
Through our collaboration with Comcast, we are delivering a truly
compelling HD calling experience to consumers, and demonstrating Skypes
continued leadership in video communications, said Bob Rosin, Head of
Business Development for Skype. Our partnership brings video calling
into the heart of the home the living room where it enables people
to share lifes experiences in a whole new way.
Cathy Avgiris, Executive Vice President and General Manager of
Communications and Data Services for Comcast Cable, said, TV is rapidly
evolving as a social experience, and Skype on Xfinity is bringing
friends and family together to share lifes moments through the use of
the largest screen in their homes. Skype on Xfinity is simple to set up
and easy to use so that you can always feel like youre there with
friends and loved ones, even if physically youre miles apart.
To use Skype on Xfinity, customers will need Xfinity Internet service,
an HDMI-capable Comcast cable set-top box and a Skype account. To start
a Skype session through their TV, customers simply choose an available
contact from their address book and select enter. Skype on Xfinity will
be delivered to the Comcast customers HDTV through an all-in-one kit
which includes an adaptor box, a high-quality video camera, and a
specially designed remote control that enables customers to instant
message with one or more friends on Skype as well as control the volume
of their television. For Skype-to-Skype calls or instant messages, the
other calling party does not need any special equipment beyond what is
needed to use Skype; they simply need to be logged into their Skype
account.
Skype on Xfinity is available for $9.95 per month for qualifying Xfinity
Triple Play customers. Additional markets will launch through the
summer. For more information, visit www.comcast.com/skype.
About Comcast Cable
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com)
is one of the nation’s leading providers of entertainment, information
and communications products and services. Comcast is principally
involved in the operation of cable systems through Comcast Cable and in
the development, production and distribution of entertainment, news,
sports and other content for global audiences through NBCUniversal.
Comcast Cable is one of the nation’s largest video, high-speed Internet
and phone providers to residential and business customers. Comcast is
the majority owner and manager of NBCUniversal, which owns and operates
entertainment and news cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast
networks, local television station groups, television production
operations, a major motion picture company and theme parks.
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