Comcast is going to launch a wireless network this year

During its earnings call this week, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said the company will launch a new wireless phone service this year. Yes, instead of subscribing to T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon or a number of other smaller carriers, you’ll have the option to pay Comcast for cellular data. Sounds weird, but Comcast plans to bundle it with cable plans.

“We plan to include wireless in our multi-product bundles in a way that is designed to add value to our customers, improve retention, and ultimately benefit lifetime customer economics for us,” Roberts said during the earnings call, according to Ars Technica. “Our offering will give customers access to a world-class wireless network, benefiting from our Wi-Fi hotspots with the best mobile devices and a simple, transparent experience, all for a great value.”

You’ll buy a phone from Comcast, too

Comcast will be using part of Verizon Wireless’ network. Ars Technica explained that Comcast technically has rights to use part of the network as part of an earlier spectrum deal, and that Comcast actually has a bit of fiber around the country that it might be able to tap into in order to improve its offering in places where Verizon’s network might be a little slower than expected. It’ll sell phones, too, which means you may soon one day walk into a Comcast store to buy a new iPhone.

Weird to think about. Scarier to think that this is how far Comcast’s monopolistic tentacles are beginning to reach, too.