Comcast Corp the nation's leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services, and Microsoft Corp. leader in software, services and solutions, have launched a new Internet-based communications product for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), giving SMBs access to services that have traditionally only been available to larger companies with IT staffs.

Comcast's SMB customers will be the first in the country to receive Microsoft Communication Services from Comcast, which will provide them with corporate-class e-mail, calendaring and document sharing. This product is Internet-based, so SMBs do not need additional server capacity, and is backed by 24x7 Business Class customer support from Comcast, which will serve as an SMB's "help desk."


Comcast is the only major U.S. Internet service provider to make this product available at no additional cost with its broadband services. Microsoft Communication Services lets small-business owners focus on running their businesses rather than worrying about IT issues by doing the following:

Enabling SMB teams to share documents and access calendars, track tasks, and use e-mail efficiently and effectively through corporate-class productivity and collaboration solutions based on Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 and Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0

Removing barriers of up-front costs, help desk support and ongoing system maintenance, which often prevent SMBs from experiencing the benefits of corporate-grade IT services

Extending the boundaries of the "office" to anywhere there is Internet access

Improving communication by letting SMBs extend access to these collaboration tools, such as document sharing, to important business partners or suppliers

Providing full integration with Comcast's network and around-the-clock support

Microsoft Communication Services is the first major product to be launched in conjunction with Comcast's introduction of high-speed Internet, phone and video services for small businesses across the country. Comcast is providing SMBs with the first real alternative to the local phone company for these services.