Cable giant Comcast is officially going mobile.
The company announced Thursday the launching of Xfinity Mobile, which bundles wireless service with Comcast's other Xfinity services.
Up to 80 percent of smartphone data traffic in the U.S. travels over Wi-Fi and not over cellular networks, according to a news release.
This makes Wi-Fi “a key solution to today’s mobile data consumption,” the company said.
"We’re doing mobile differently by bringing our customers the best networks and a product designed to save them money in an increasingly data-driven world," Greg Butz, president of Comcast Mobile, said.
Here are 5 things to know about Xfinity Mobile:
What will the service include?
Xfinity Mobile will include access to the company’s 16 million Wi-Fi hotspots, so that users can browse the web, stream music, watch video and other content without having to pay for cellular data.
It also features no line access fees, unlimited talk and text, and your first 100 MB of shared 4G LTE data included at no extra cost, the company said.
The service will include two wireless plan options — one for unlimited data for one set price and up to five lines — and another pay-as-you-go plan.
Comcast said the service also allows flexibility for customers to easily switch back-and-forth between data options using the Xfinity Mobile app at no cost.
Customers can also mix and match plans across lines, Tech Crunch reported, so parents can keep unlimited plans and restrict the kids’ data.
Who will be able to use Xfinity Mobile?
It’s initially only available for Comcast Xfinity’s existing 25 million internet customers and any new customers who sign up for the service. The company hasn’t announced plans to expand the option for users without Comcast Xfinity.
How much will it cost?
The unlimited plan will cost $65 per line or, if you subscribe to Comcast’s Xfinity Premier Double Play or Triple Play, $45 per line. The pay-as-you-go plan costs $12 per gigabyte.
When will Xfinity Mobile be available?
The service will be available to customers starting in the second quarter, Comcast said.
Which phones will be compatible?
According to Comcast, customers will be able to select from several popular mobile devices, including but not limited to: iPhone 7 (including red edition), iPhone 7 Plus (including red edition), iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, popular Samsung phones.
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