Comcast Corp. will launch a new pay-as-you-go program that allows consumers to sign up for television and internet services for seven or 30 days straight, a blueprint used by the wireless industry to attract low-income households.
Under the plan called Xfinity Prepaid Services, customers pay a one-time setup fee for devices and can “top up” their service with no limit on the number of renewals, Comcast said. The service does not require a credit check or a contract.
The cable giant CMCSA,
make the service available later this year in Illinois, Michigan, Georgia, Florida and Indiana and plan to expand it to the entire customer base by the end of next year. Comcast has signed an agreement with Sprint’s non-contract wireless brand Boost Mobile to offer prepaid services in its 4,400 locations within Comcast’s presence by the end of 2017. Comcast declined to disclose the financial agreement.
The TV prepaid plan has two stages. For a 45-channel plan, customers pay a $ 80 setup fee for equipment and the first 30 days of service. Then they can always pay $ 15 to “replenish” their service for seven days, or $ 45 for 30 days. A 140-channel plan starts out at $ 120, up from $ 30 and $ 90 for seven days and 30 days, respectively.
Comcast charges $ 80 for the Internet Starter Kit, which is $ 15 for seven days or $ 45 for 30 days.
