News Comcast Internet to hit 305Mbps

[Mike Nomad]

Comcast Internet to hit 305Mbps
5 megabits faster than Verizon FiOS

by Jon Brodkin - July 24 2012, 2:43pm EDT


Customers on 25 and 50 Mbps will get speed doubled at no extra charge.

Not long after Verizon doubled its highest FiOS Internet speeds to 300 megabits per second, Comcast today announced a brand-new speed tier that will hit 305Mbps.

Coincidentally, the new Xfinity Platinum Internet will initially be available in the Northeast US, where Verizon FiOS is also prevalent. Presumably, if Verizon FiOS offered speed of 310Mbps, Comcast would have gone with 315. But it may turn out that real-world speeds are still better with Verizon. As we recently reported, FCC testing shows that FiOS speed is 20 percent higher than promised by Verizon, while Comcast cable speed is just 3 percent higher than promised.

While Comcast’s advertised download speed just slightly outpaces Verizon FiOS, the Platinum Internet tier will match the top FiOS upload speed of 65Mbps. Additionally, Comcast is doubling the speed of two existing Internet tiers (at no extra charge) from 25Mbps to 50Mbps and from 50Mbps to 105Mbps "in certain Comcast markets," starting this week. That should be fast enough to help you run up against your data cap.

No word on the timing of the 305Mbps tier launch was given. The wording in the announcement says that Comcast “will begin to launch Xfinity Platinum Internet, a new ultra-fast speed tier, throughout markets in its Northeast division.” Those markets include Boston, Hartford, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Wilmington, Baltimore, Washington DC, Richmond, and New Jersey. Those markets are presumably the same ones also getting a doubling of speed in the two lower tiers.

Pricing of the 305Mbps tier was also not announced, although Comcast said the package will come with a wireless gateway, “Xfinity Signature Support,” a “dedicated Personal Communications Consultant,” and Comcast’s Constant Guard security software.

Prices can vary by region, but checking out Boston prices today, it seems you can get the Extreme 50 (for 50Mbps) service from Comcast for $99.95 per month, or the Extreme 105 tier for $199.99 per month. We've asked Comcast for details on availability and pricing of the 305Mbps tier, and will provide an update if we get one.

UPDATE: Bloomberg is reporting that Comcast's 305Mbps service will cost $299.95 per month, more than the $204.99 per month Verizon charges for 300Mbps.

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