Published: January 10, 2005, 5:15 AM PST

By Reuters

U.S. cable operator Comcast is set to announce an ambitious push into the phone business, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

Comcast plans to market an Internet-based phone service to 15 million homes by the end of 2005, and to practically all 40 million of the households that have access to its systems within 18 months, the report said. The company hopes to have 8 million phone subscribers within five years, the report stated.

Comcast Chief Executive Brian Roberts will detail his plans at an investor conference in Phoenix, the report said.

Comcast`s push will intensify the growing war between cable and telephone companies, which are steadily invading each other`s businesses, according to the report.

Philadelphia-based Comcast hopes to gain phone subscribers by offering different features from traditional phone calling, the report said.

It said Comcast`s initial offer will be $39.95 per month for unlimited domestic service, for customers who also buy cable and high-speed Internet services. Consumers who want only a phone service from Comcast will be charged $54.95.

Comcast could not immediately be reached for comment.