Comcast wireless service due 2017

Comcast plans to begin offering its own wireless service by the middle of 2017.

Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said the company planned to launch a wireless service by the middle of 2017. The service would deliver connectivity over the Verizon Wireless network and Comcast's own millions of Wi-Fi hotspots around the US. It essentially would be, he said, "the Verizon network maybe improved with our 15 million hotspots." Comcast can lease bandwidth on Verizon's network as part of a Justice Department agreement four years ago in which Verizon bought $3.6 billion in wireless spectrum from Comcast and other pay-TV companies. Current Comcast customers -- and those within its service areas -- would be able to sign up for larger bundles of Comcast services with the availability of wireless service added to current TV, broadband and phone offerings. "We believe there is a big payback with reduced churn, more stickiness, better satisfaction and better product purchasing," Roberts said.