America’s leading cable operator, Comcast, announced yesterday that it is integrating its email and voice messaging services into a single internet-based communications platform called SmartZone.

The service will be offered as a free add-on to Comcast’s high-speed internet and digital phone subscribers, allowing them to access voice and email messages over the web, together with free instant messaging and an interactive address book.

“It’s about making our products work better together wherever you want them available,” said Comcast’s senior vice president of voice services, Catherine Avgiris. “Customers can use that functionality to simplify their lives, helping us maintain that relationship and loyalty with them.”

Offering SmartZone as a free perk fits into Comcast’s strategy of encouraging customer loyalty. The cable giant also offers a wide range of free Video-On-Demand programming to its existing subscribers.