Rumor: Comcast to beat FiOS with 305Mbps Internet
updated 10:53 am EDT, Fri July 20, 2012
New speed tier announced via internal live event stream
Comcast is reportedly planning to offer a 305Mbps Internet connection before the end of the year. Someone that Broadband Reports considers a reliable source claimed all Comcast employees were treated to a streaming live event about future Xfinity plans, where Chief Executive Officer Neil Smit mentioned the faster tier would be in Verizon FiOS territories "soon."
The new service tier would place it just 5Mbps faster than FiOS Quantum, a 300Mbps connection revealed by Verizon last month. The 65Mbps upstream speed and $205 monthly charges of Comcast's rumored service mirror the new FiOS offering, but the marginal increase appears to be a case of one-upping the rival company in serving the fastest connection possible. Comcast is said to not be utilizing upstream channel bonding to its full capacity as of yet, making the 65Mbps upstream unlikely, however tests last year reached 75 to 100Mbps and proved that it is capable of doing so.
The home broadband market in the US has seen little competition between the two companies, leading some to believe the attempted acquisition of Advanced Wireless Spectrum licenses by Verizon from a consortium, which includes Comcast, may make the market even less competitive. Starting a service that beats its rival on speed at an equal price may force Internet providers to offer price reductions or speed increases, in a bid to lead the market.
