Comcast Moves into Third Place for Phone Users

Comcast Corp. said Wednesday it has become the nation's third- largest residential phone service provider as the cable-television giant's customers continue to add landline telephones to their services from the company.

According to CNN.com Comcast, the largest U.S. cable operator by subscribers, now has 6.5 million voice customers, more than Qwest Communications International Inc.'s (Q) reported residential lines of 6 million as of Dec. 31.

Comcast has placed an emphasis on customer service which seems to have helped with the customer retention.

The digital phone service which typically accompanies the cable phone service has a newer infrastructure which leads to fewer service calls.

Another obvious draw to the service is the cost is traditionally lower than the incumbent local exchange carrier. Cathy Avgiris, general manager of Comcast's voice operations, said the company's phone-services offer has proved popular because its price is 20% to 30% less than some phone company services and can be packaged with video and high-speed Internet products.

Both phone and cable companies in recent years have ramped up so-called Triple Play packages, offering customers most, if not all, of their telecommunications services on one bill.