Comcast Introduces New Advanced Spam Blocker Feature for Xfinity Voice Customers

Rhea-AI Summary

Comcast has introduced a new Spam Blocker feature for Xfinity Voice, allowing customers to block unwanted spam, spoofing, and robocalls without additional costs. The feature categorizes calls as low, medium, or high risk, blocking high-risk calls by default. This initiative is part of Comcast's ongoing efforts to combat nuisance calls, following their Verified Caller ID rollout. According to a report, Americans receive an average of 31 spam calls monthly, highlighting the importance of this feature in protecting users.

Positive

• Introduction of Spam Blocker feature for Xfinity Voice enhances customer control over unwanted calls.
• Categorization of calls aids users in identifying and managing potentially harmful calls.
• No additional costs associated with the new feature, increasing value for customers.

Negative

• None.

New Call Blocking Feature Automatically Identifies and Blocks Nuisance Calls for No Additional Cost

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Comcast today announced a new Spam Blocker feature for Xfinity Voice that gives customers added control over unwanted spam, spoofing and robocalls to their home with the power to block inbound calls that are suspected spam.

On-Screen Spam Blocker Notification (Photo: Business Wire)

According to the 2021 U.S. Spam and Scam Report from Truecaller, Americans receive nearly 31 spam calls per user per month on average. Additionally, the firm found that 85 percent of Americans try to only answer calls if they can identify the person or business the call is coming from. The Spam Blocker feature is another tool to help keep customers in control of their phone service experience and protect them from potentially harmful and annoying robocalls.

Building on the Verified Caller ID feature Comcast rolled out last March, which was the nation’s largest landline voice implementation of the STIR/SHAKEN-based technology, the new Spam Blocker feature categorizes calls as low, medium, and high risk of being a nuisance call. Through the Xfinity Connect portal, customers can choose an action they’d like Xfinity Voice to take based on the risk rating of the call – by default Xfinity Voice will block high risk calls, send medium risk calls to voicemail and allow low risk calls to come through. Customers will receive notifications of the call’s risk rating on their Caller ID as well as on the largest screen in their home – the TV – and can easily manage their preference settings using the Xfinity Connect portal.

“For years, Comcast has been a leader in the industry-wide effort to combat nuisance calls, with advanced call blocking efforts across Xfinity Voice, Comcast Business Voice, and Xfinity Mobile,” said Patti Loyack, Senior Vice President, Consumer Services and Performance, Comcast Cable. “This feature further helps our Voice customers to protect themselves from spam callers and connect only with the people that matter the most.”

Spam Blocker continues Comcast’s longstanding commitment to fighting caller manipulation and fraud by giving consumers additional control over unwanted calls. The company worked with major U.S. providers to conduct the first call between two landline voice networks, and the first end-to-end call across three networks, using the STIR/SHAKEN protocol. In 2020, the company completed the first international authenticated STIR/SHAKEN call between Xfinity Voice residential phone service and Canadian mobile provider, Telus Communications. Xfinity Mobile customers can also enable a call verification feature that uses STIR/SHAKEN technology to label incoming calls that are suspected spam or robocalls.

About Comcast:

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211012005663/en/

Joel Shadle

Joel_Shadle@Comcast.com

(215) 286-4675

Rachel Zabinski

Rachel_zabinski@comcast.com

(215) 286-1516

Source: Comcast Corporation

FAQ

What is the new Spam Blocker feature from Comcast?

The Spam Blocker feature for Xfinity Voice enables customers to block unwanted spam calls at no extra cost.

How does the Spam Blocker feature categorize calls?

Calls are categorized as low, medium, or high risk, with high-risk calls being blocked automatically.

What percentage of Americans receive spam calls according to the report?

The report indicates that Americans receive nearly 31 spam calls per user each month on average.

When was the Spam Blocker feature introduced?

Comcast announced the Spam Blocker feature in October 2021.

How does the Spam Blocker feature enhance customer experience?

It allows users to manage their phone service experience effectively by protecting against spam and robocalls.