Comcast Touts Digital Voice Milestone

Comcast Communications revealed Thursday that it has passed the 2 million customer mark for its digital phone service.

Although largely a consumer-centric announcement, the news does reinforce the notion that IP telephony services not only are technically possible, but are being accepted and used by mainstream users.

Comcast markets its service as Digital Voice, but in reality it is voice-over-IP. However, rather than route traffic over the public Internet, Comcast manages unique and separate service flows that give its service a guaranteed level of availability and keeps traffic running smoothly.

Comcast's digital voice services give customers unlimited local and long distance calls within the United States and to Canada and Puerto Rico and Web access to voice mail.

Overall, IP telephony services are widely seen in the industry as an increasingly viable option for consumers and businesses seeking a reliable and less expensive alternative to traditional circuit-switched voice.

Comcast said it gives much of the credit for the current momentum to the cost savings and convenience customers gain by purchasing a bundle of cable, Internet and voice services.