Comcast Expands Wireless Offering to SMBs

Comcast Business just rolled out a wireless service for business customers.

The cableco on Tuesday announced the extension of its mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) services to SMBs. Existing internet customers can use the Comcast Business Mobile service.

Comcast already provides a consumer mobility service called Xfinity Mobile. Just like Xfinity Mobile, Comcast Business Mobile offers 4G and 5G coverage from Verizon’s mobile network. Comcast supplements the network with Wi-Fi hotspots.

Comcast’s Bill Stemper

“Staying connected – whether in the office or on-the-go – is critical for small businesses. Comcast Business Mobile provides small business owners and their employees access to the most reliable network with nationwide 5G included at no extra cost as well as access to more than 20 million secure Xfinity WiFi hotspots,” Comcast Business president Bill Stemper said. “We have created a unique mobile experience that brings more value to our internet customers, saving them money while providing tremendous performance, reliability and flexibility.”

Verizon and Comcast launched the Xfinity Mobile service in 2017, and it has seen significant growth lately. Comcast’s wireless revenue grew nearly 50%, from $343 million in 2020’s first quarter to $513 million in the first quarter of this year.

Big Picture

Comcast executives noted in the company’s latest earnings call that they wanted to accelerate their wireless strategy. Moreover, they are accelerating their wireless play because wireless enhances Comcast’s fixed broadband business. Comcast Cable CEO David Watson said on the call that Comcast will likely package broadband and mobile together more.

“We think it’s good for broadband. It is helping broadband. We see the results in terms of churn, and it’s just a growth engine for us, period,” Watson said.

Comcast Corporation CEO Brian Roberts said in the call that Verizon has served Comcast well in their MVNO partnership.

“That whole relationship requires a healthy partnership with a wireless MNO. And in the case of Verizon, we were really pleased with the partnership,” Roberts said. “We restructured it so that we’re able to make these unlimited offerings in a way that continues our profitability march and real value for consumers and in a way that Verizon is happy that their network is getting used.”

In the meantime, Comcast’s first-quarter business revenue ticked up more than 6%.

Customers can run with an unlimited data plan that charges as low as $24 per line per month or do a “per gig” plan that starts at $15 per month per gigabyte. According to Comcast, the unlimited data plan caters to businesses whose employees often stray outside of Wi-Fi range. Comcast provides up to 10 lines and without charging a line access fee.

Speaking of wireless, Dish Network recently partnered with AT&T for its 5G network.