Differences in Verizon and Comcast Internet
By Jason Taetsch
Broadband Internet services provide a great advantage over traditional dial-up methods, with data communication speeds that are far greater. When choosing between Internet service providers (ISPs), such as Verizon FiOS or Comcast, there are a range of options and differences to consider. Keep these differences in mind when deciding which type of Internet service is best for you.
Cable vs. DSL
The major difference between Verizon and Comcast is the type of Internet service each company provides. Verizon employs a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service, as well as FiOS, or fiber optic service, while Comcast uses a cable connection. DSL connections divide your phone line so part of it can be used for data transmissions -- Internet -- and the other part can be used for voice transmissions. Cable Internet, on the other hand, sends the Internet signal through your cable TV connection.
Performance
Cable service generally provides faster download speeds than comparative DSL connections due to a larger bandwidth; however, actual performance can vary per location. DSL connections have a smaller bandwidth than cable and are directly impacted by the distance between your house and the service provider, as well as the number of users on the network -- the farther you are from the service provider and the more users on the network, the slower the DSL service.
Email and Additional Features
Both services provide consumers with email addresses and space to store their messages. Comcast allows for up to seven different email addresses, each with 10 GB of storage space dedicated for each email and comes with McAfee Security Suite to protect your computer while surfing the Internet. Verizon provides for nine email accounts with 4 GB of storage for each account, as well as hosting for a personal website, but does not include Internet service.
Pricing
Both Comcast and Verizon offer a range of pricing plans to fit your budget. As of 2011, the plans both start at $19.99 a month for basic Internet service. However, Verizon's starting speeds range from 785 kbps to 1 mbps, while Comcast's starting plan features speeds of up to 15 mbps. For the increased speeds, Verizon offers plans up to 20 mbps for $49.99 a month, compared to the $29.99 a month Comcast charges for the same speed of service.
References
Writer Bio
Jason Taetsch graduated from The College of New Jersey with a degree in English. Taetsch co-founded the on-campus literary magazine, "Paperclips." In 2006 he began writing professionally. He wrote news articles and independently authored op-ed columns for the on-campus newspaper, "The Signal" and had articles published in "Garden State Surf Magazine."