Verizon Wireless and Comcast said Thursday that their business relationship in Metro Detroit and Michigan highlights each company's strengths by giving customers more options for video, phone, Internet and wireless service. Incentives are being offered when customers buy the new packages.

The deal helps each company shore up a weakness, said Harry Wang, director of mobile research at Dallas-based research firm Parks Associates.

"They both had similar problems," he said. "Verizon was big on the wireless side but poor on TV service. Comcast doesn't really have much to offer on the wireless side. They're trying to be as efficient and aggressive as possible."

The approach should help the companies stay on top of their respective fields, Wang said. AT&T offers bundled phone, cable and Internet service, too, and partnered with DirecTV in 2005.

"Collaboration is only necessary when they feel it makes business sense and to reach out to customers when they couldn't do it themselves," Wang said.

Wang said the incentives should boost sales for both Comcast and Verizon Wireless.

"Consumers on a bundle service plan are less likely to switch providers," he said.

From the article, "Verizon Wireless, Comcast team up on services in Michigan" by  Michael Martinez.

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