Comcast Digital Voice® FAQs
- Can I keep my current phone number?
- Will Comcast Digital Voice customers need to purchase additional phones or equipment?
- What is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)?
- What if my electricity goes out? Will I still be able to use my Comcast Digital Voice service?
- If the cable goes out, will my phone go out too?
- What equipment is needed for my Comcast Digital Voice service?
- Is there a service contract requirement for Comcast Digital Voice?
- How many different telephone lines can I have with Comcast Digital Voice service?
- Does Comcast Digital Voice work the same way as traditional phone service?
- Can I use other services (watch cable TV, surf the Internet) while using Comcast Digital Voice services?
- Are Comcast Digital Voice calls routed across the Internet?
- Are Is the sound quality clear with Comcast Digital Voice?
- How is Comcast service different from the traditional phone service I have today?
- What should I know about Comcast Digital Voice E911 service?
- What are the features included with Comcast Digital Voice?
Q: Can I keep my current phone number?
A: Yes, you can keep your existing phone number and receive Comcast Digital Voice service. This means you can continue to receive calls from your family and friends without having to notify them of a new telephone number. (We do need to verify portability with each phone number - if you are moving to a new area, you may not be able to keep your old number).
Q: Will Comcast Digital Voice customers need to purchase additional phones or equipment?
A: Customers with touch tone phones will not need to purchase new equipment. The customer's existing telephone wires and phones will work with Comcast Digital Voice Service. There is some equipment that needs to be installed, but the customer is not responsible for purchasing or leasing the equipment. Comcast Digital Voice service will not work with rotary phones.
Q: What is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)?
A: Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology used to transmit voice and related calls over a data network. Most VoIP service providers use the public Internet to transmit your calls, but Comcast calls are transmitted over our private advanced broadband network. Using broadband technology, Comcast Digital Voice service is able to provide you with a number of enhanced new innovations, without sacrificing any of your current phone features or the call clarity you expect.
Q: What if my electricity goes out? Will I still be able to use my Comcast Digital Voice service?
A: The eMTA (embedded Mulitmedia Terminal Adapter) Comcast supplies with your Comcast Digital Voice service contains a backup battery designed to power the eMTA for several hours of continuous service. The actual length of battery backup time will depend on the amount of time you use the phone to place outgoing calls during a power outage.
Q: If the cable goes out, will my phone go out too?
A: No. Comcast uses the power of broadband to deliver Comcast Digital Voice, cable television, and High-Speed Internet services to our customers over a single coaxial cable. To ensure reliability, these services function independently of each other, so if one Comcast service is affected, it does not necessarily mean your other Comcast services will be affected. But is a storm or accident knocks out our network, then muliple services may be affected.
Q: What equipment is needed for my Comcast Digital Voice service?
A: For Comcast Digital Voice service to work, and eMTA (embedded Mulitmedia Terminal Adapter) is installed to support your Comcast Digital Voice service. It is designed to support both your Comcast Digital Voice service and Comcast High-Speed Internet services. An equipment lease fee of $3 applies. You can use your existing touch-tone telephones with Comcast Digital Voice service.
Q: Is there a service contract requirement for Comcast Digital Voice?
A: No. We are confident that once someone tries Comcast Digital Voice service, they will be pleased with the service.
Q: How many different telephone lines can I have with Comcast Digital Voice service?
A: You can have up to two lines.
Q: Does Comcast Digital Voice work the same way as traditional phone service?
A: Inside the customer's home, the only difference is that Comcast Digital Voice does not work with rotary phones. Outside the customer's home we take advantage of state of the art broadband technology and, in most areas, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology. This allows us to deliver crystal clear calls and advanced calling features.
Q: Can I use other services (watch cable TV, surf the Internet) while using Comcast Digital Voice services?
A: Of course! Thanks to the power of broadband technology, Comcast can provide a whole range of products supplied through the same coaxial cable, without interfering with TV viewing or web surfing.
Q: Are Comcast Digital Voice calls routed across the Internet?
A: No! Comcast keeps the calls on their private broadband network until our switch delivers the call on the PSTN (public switched telephone network). Calls are just as secure with Comcast as with any other telephone provider.
Q: Is the sound quality clear with Comcast Digital Voice?
A: You bet! Our digital communications network transmits a "clean" signal with less noise and distortion than many analog networks. Noise is essentially screened out of the signal so you get crisp, clear sound.
Q: How is Comcast service different from the traditional phone service I have today?
A: Comcast Digital Voice service gives you more features than traditional phone service can. Using our advanced broadband network, we provide you with a number of enhanced new innovations without sacrificing any of your current phone features or the call clarity you expect - with a great opportunity to save! And you can even keep your same phone number and use your existing phones.
Q: What should I know about Comcast Digital Voice E911 service?
A: Feel secure in the event of an emergency. E911, or Enhanced 911, works the same way as typical 911 service, but also provides the benefit of automatically transmitting your telephone number and location to the emergency dispatcher.
Q: What are the features included with Comcast Digital Voice?
Local and Long Distance Calling - Call anyone, anytime, anywhere in the country - all for one low price. Unlimited nationwide calling includes calls made to all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, plus Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands), and Canada.
Keep your current phone number - You will be able to keep your existing phone number and receive Comcast Digital Voice Service. This means that you will continue to receive calls from your family and friends without having to notify them of a new telephone number. (We do need to verify portability with each phone number.)
12 Calling features plus Voice Mail - Comcast Digital Voice works with your current phone equipment and you can keep your current phone number. It's so easy. Plus you can enjoy the features you expect and get some cool new features you'll love:
- Anonymous Call Rejection
- Call Forwarding Selective
- Call Forwarding Variable
- Call Return
- Call Waiting
- Caller ID
- Caller ID with Call Waiting
- Caller ID Blocking
- Call Screening
- Repeat Dialing
- Speed Dial 8
- 3-way Calling
- Online access to Voice Mail messages
- Online account summary
Plus, Enhanced Voice Mail!
Satisfaction guarantee - We are so confident about the quality of Comcast Digital Voice that we guarantee you will be satisfied, or we'll refund your money for the first 30 days of service.