Competition for fifth-generation mobile service in Spokane has increased with the introduction of a new Xfinity Mobile service.

Xfinity Mobile, a trade name of Philadelphia-based Comcast Corp. subsidiary Comcast Cable Communications LLC, announced on Monday that it’s launching new data plans that include free fifth-generation services, known more commonly as 5G services, and is offering opt-in 5G to existing customers.

Spokane is one of 34 cities in the U.S. to receive the service, says Nick McDonald, Lynnwood, Washington-based communications manager for Comcast’s Washington region.

The company’s wireless service uses Verizon Wireless networks to provide wireless 5G, McDonald says.

“Cities like Spokane need more options for affordable access to high-speed mobile data services, now more than ever,” McDonald says.

In Spokane, Xfinity competes with T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T for 5G customers. McDonald says Xfinity Mobile hopes to distinguish itself by offering 5G speeds free for all new data plans.

The service will be available free to all new data plans, regardless of whether customers have unlimited data or pay for data by the gigabyte. Existing customers can opt-in to a 5G data option through the Xfinity Mobile app.

New and existing customers can choose to either pay $45 a month per line for unlimited data, or pay by the gigabyte, starting at $15 for one gigabyte of data.

The company has started offering 5G smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra on its website and plans to offer additional 5G devices.