Representing nearly 80 percent of the combined U.S. and Canadian broadband markets by the end of the year, the current list of “Xbox Compatible” broadband service providers includes Bell Canada, BellSouth Corp., Charter Communications Inc., Comcast Corp., Cox Communications Inc., EarthLink Inc., MSN®, Qwest Communications, Rogers Cable Inc., SBC Communications Inc., TELUS Corp., Time Warner Cable’s Road Runner service and Verizon Communications.

According to J Allard, general manager of the Xbox platform at Microsoft, while Xbox Live is designed to work well with most high-speed Internet services, the “Xbox Compatible” service providers are working with Microsoft to help ensure a great user experience on Xbox Live for customers.

“‘Xbox Compatible’ service plans help ensure that playing Xbox Live games across these plans will be quick, simple and hassle-free,” Allard said. “Together with ‘Xbox Compatible’ broadband providers, we’re doing the heavy lifting on the service so customers can focus on playing fast-action games. As the only all-broadband gaming service with the support of leading providers, Xbox Live is uniquely positioned to help propel online gaming forward while driving adoption of broadband services by gamers.”

“Online video game services such as Xbox Live give consumers another compelling reason to choose Verizon Online high-speed Internet access this holiday season,” said John Wimsatt, vice president of marketing for Verizon Advanced Services. “Only broadband can give video gamers the fast-action play they expect.”

“Customers want an Internet service that lets them do everything on the Web better and faster — from playing games to banking and more — and Comcast high-speed Internet service does just that,” said Greg Butz, vice president of marketing and business development for Comcast Online. “Now, when customers see the ‘Xbox Compatible’ logo in stores, kiosks or on Comcast Web sites, they’ll know that they’ll get the most robust gaming experience on our network.”

“Xbox Live is poised to deliver a truly revolutionary online gaming experience, and is one of the many ways that we are able to maximize our robust IP network to deliver advanced entertainment services,” said Steve Gorman, director of marketing for residential data services at Cox Communications. “When you combine Xbox Live with the power of a broadband connection, gamers can have it all: the excitement of Xbox games and the thrill of playing with friends and family in real time, whether they are across the street or across the country.”

“Xbox Compatible” broadband service providers and their plans may display the “Xbox Compatible” logo for their retail offerings at outlets nationwide, and several providers are expected to create marketing programs supporting Xbox Live. Microsoft also will continue working with other broadband service providers to add more service plans to the “Xbox Compatible” program.

At launch, more than 7,000 U.S. and Canadian retail outlets will begin selling the Xbox Live Starter Kit for an estimated retail price of $49.95 (U.S.)/$79.99 (CDN). For the average price of a new game, the kit includes a one-year subscription to Xbox Live, the highly anticipated Xbox Communicator headset, and online trial versions of THQ®’s “MotoGP” and “Whacked!™” from Microsoft Game Studios, so gamers can start playing with their friends right away. All Xbox units come with a built-in Ethernet port and hard drive, enabling any Xbox owner to plug into Xbox Live through a high-speed Internet service provider. Retail programs will be supported by a multimillion-dollar marketing campaign that will include advertising, retail communications and promotional activities.