Contributor
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42 Messages
Voiceline Text Messaging Retirement Questions
Very glad to see the retiring text announcement.
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You say no more texting FROM the App or Text web page, but . . . .
- What about INCOMING text messages?
- Can incoming texts still make my C'cast non-cell phone ring?
- Will they get a “not accepting” message?
- Is the retirement complete or partial for voiceline Text Messaging ?
- Is it clear that this does not affect text messaging on Comcast Wireless cell phones?
- Why not just let individual customers opt out of In and Out Texts?
- Why do we have to wait 2 months?
Accepted Solution
XfinityBecker
Official Employee
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513 Messages
5 years ago
Hi All -
First off, let me say that I'm sorry to see this feature go away as well. Although I wasn't a heavy user of the feature myself, it definitely did come in handy at times! I remember using it when I went out of the country... as long as I was connected to WiFi, I could still text message all I wanted. 🙂
Xfinity Text Messaging was released at a time that unlimited text messaging was not as popular as it is now with most cell phone plans. Since its release, we've seen usage drop dramatically as people moved to cell phone text messaging and other options like Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp, and numerous other platforms.
The service that Xfinity Text Messaging uses is no longer going to be supported by our vendor and there was no similar service which we could integrate with our platform. We we had to make the decision around developing a completely new solution or simply retiring the service. Because of the relatively low utilization of the service (a fraction of a percent of our customer base), we had to make the tough decision to retire it.
I do hope that those who still need a similar service are able to transition to something else that works well for them - while I can't recommend any specifically, other users in this thread have mentioned options that might work well.
Again, our sincere apologies to those who will miss the feature. It was definitely a unique option to have with a landline phone service!
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steveoregon
Contributor
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33 Messages
5 years ago
Yea, when I read that email, it seemed like they could have provided much more detail. I don't tell anyone I know to text our landline Xfinity VOIP, but when they do, I least knew about it, and could reply with a message telling them to use my cell number.
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JDKay
Frequent Visitor
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20 Messages
5 years ago
I am seriously upset that they are taking this feature away. It is one of the reasons we got Voice in the first place. I get that some don't want it, but make it an option rather than just removing it for everyone!!!!!
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southendjohn
Contributor
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67 Messages
5 years ago
Really? How 'expensive' is it to have this convenient feature? More services going away yet our bill keeps going up.
This was super helpful for those who accidentally texted my home phone - at least I could get the message and contact them directly.
Now what will happen? (Will they get notification of a text message fail?)
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wvzr1
Contributor
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104 Messages
5 years ago
I have Xfinity VOICE only for the TEXTING FEATURE!! I DO NOT SPEAK and it's certainly the most advantageous way for Doctors, and others to contact me. Loosing this 'FEATURE' I'll be required to move back to CELL and my # that I've had for 30+ years can't be 'PORTED' to Xfinity/Verizon. I emailed a CS Rep @ an Xfinity Store but haven't been advised of a thing.
Going to a CELL for just a TEXT feature for me will likely be a very costly event!!!!
I'm certainly not looking forward to changes.
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Imaohw
Contributor
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27 Messages
5 years ago
Anyone from Xfinity care to respond. This is a betrayal of your "valued" customers. Many of us switched from other phone carriers land lines to Xfinity because Xfinity offered a texting capability on their land lines. Xfinity made it a selling point.
Now you are "retiring" the feature with no mention of what will happen after the retirement date when people text the phone number!
Do you really expect your customers to call everyone that has their Xfinity phone number to tell them that while the number can still be used for calls it can no longer be used for texts.
This is the 21st century. People expect texting services to be enhanced not "retired".
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wvzr1
Contributor
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104 Messages
5 years ago
Removing the 'VOICE' aspect of the 'Triple Play' results in what consequences for the Xfinity USER?
I NEED THE TEXTING FEATURE!!! DO NOT TELL ME TO CALL!!! I DO NOT SPEAK!!
How about someone reaching out? I emailed a CS in an Xfinity Store and 3+ days later I've had no responses!!
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LANMD2017COM
Frequent Visitor
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8 Messages
5 years ago
It seems that comcast is trying to force their cell phone plans on everyone. This bl-ows. I think that Skype has an option to purchase a phone number for a small monthly fee. Maybe, that will work for my texting needs.
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steveoregon
Contributor
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33 Messages
5 years ago
No third pary app will work. Texting is being disontinued. No app can pull texts that don't exist aren't being stored.
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LANMD2017COM
Frequent Visitor
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8 Messages
5 years ago
I have this app on my iPhone. Is there a third party app that can replace this feature?
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Jay420
New Poster
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2 Messages
5 years ago
I recently discovered this feature and was so impressed. I even recommend Xfinity to others touting this feature. Guess I have to tell them don't bother. Xfinity is no better than anyone else and FIOS is faster. So... this stinks. Very disappointed Comcast!
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Favorite999
Contributor
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42 Messages
5 years ago
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fboni44
Frequent Visitor
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9 Messages
5 years ago
I agree. Is there anyway to get this feature with someone else?
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wvzr1
Contributor
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104 Messages
5 years ago
I've reached out to a 2nd Xfinity CSR @ a Xfinity Store so I'll continue the wait! The lack of communication is the aggravating aspect. The Xfinity Store is a 35 mile drive each way! NOT SPEAKING IS AN ISSUE! In both my communications 'towards' Xfinity CSR I've mentioned I wouldn't mind a 'WALK IN' but I wanted to exchange a couple emails first to determine options with the account!!
I don't believe I've been unreasonable!!
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fboni44
Frequent Visitor
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9 Messages
5 years ago
Keep trying!
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