Verizon FiOS vs. Comcast: Who’s the winner?
We recently had a loyal DeGeeked reader submit this question: What is the difference between Verizon FiOS and Comcast Cable - or are they the same thing? Great question, we get this one a bunch.
In years past, the FiOS vs. Comcast battle has been a lot clearer, as Verizon did not offer TV packaged with their internet service. But in the last 12 months, Verizon has rolled out digital television as a legitimate competitor in a number of major markets.
To break it down a bit, here's how Verizon FiOS and Comcast are the same:
- They both connect to the same internet (there's just the one).
- They offer nearly identical television programing.
- Both offer digital phone service, internet, and television bundled.
- Past experience says the customer service for both will be equally poor.
And here's how they are not:
- FiOS currently offers a bit faster service in most areas. (That said, both offer VERY fast speeds, and whether you'd notice the difference is debatable.)
- FiOS runs on fancy, new fiber optic lines where as Comcast (or any cable provider) transmits through standard, old coaxial - you guessed it - cable.
- Number of HD channels: Comcast 25(ish) vs. FiOS 80+.
The big question left is price, and we have found their packages to be very similar. Both offer a triple-play package for about $100 a month. However, DeGeeked research shows that your bill each month for either will be more like 120+ once all the taxes and fees are tallied up.
Still not clear as to what is the right call? If the DeGeeked Crew were starting from scratch, we would likely jump on the FiOS train, mostly for the higher internet speed and additional HD channels. However, most folks already have an internet provider, in which case the value of switching may be outweighed by the pain in making the switch. The speed is likely unnoticeable to the average computer user, and the those 25 HD channels Comcast offers are the bulk of what the average user will watch even if they have 80+ to choose from.
So long story short, if you are making the switch jump on over to FiOS; but if you are relatively happy with your cable provider, stick with what you've got.
Comments
Leslie
November 21 2008 - 03:33 PM
Actually, there could be another difference and that’s upload speed. I know that’s getting a little geeky but it can make a difference to the “normal” user. Say you have 50 pictures to upload. Verizon FIOS has significantly better upload rates than cable.
Now someone explain why Qwest, which resells Verizon’s FIOs, gimps the upload speed.
Nicholas | DeGeeked Editor
November 21 2008 - 03:45 PM
Thanks for that info, Leslie. Indeed, upload speed is getting more and more important, especially as video online is getting more and more popular.
Any idea on the relative difference in upload speed between the two services?
Jeff
November 23 2008 - 04:12 AM
One other key factor for the TV side - HD compression. FIOS offers an uncompressed signal (exactly what you’d get with an antenna - the raw feed). I’m not sure about Comcast, but I suspect it’s compressed, like satellite. If you see the same HD channel in compressed vs. uncompressed, the difference is noticeable.
Any upload speed is huge for those who push pictures, video, or other large files out. Big for working at home too.
Last factor in FIOS’ favor - latency. For the gamer, this is massive. FIOS latency for local (same coast) servers is usually anywhere from 5-20ms. Usually the cable will be 30-50ms in the same conditions. Because of the network topology close to the house, the cable subscriber will also see much more variability in their latency, where as FIOS (like DSL) will maintain a very consistent rate. Consistency combined with ultra-low ping is a major advantage to gamers.
Game, set, & match to FIOS.
Unfortunately, no one in the industry has figured out how to offer acceptable customer service. Can’t win them all I guess.
Nicholas | DeGeeked Editor
November 23 2008 - 05:00 AM
@Jeff - Thanks for all the info on the pros of FIOS. I’ve definitely been impressed by what I’ve seen. The thing is, I’m in an urban area, so I’m still waiting for FIOS to become available to me, which I’m not counting on anytime soon. This lack of widespread availability is the only real drawback of FIOS from my perspective.
Elizabeth
February 15 2009 - 02:59 PM
How does DirectTV fare in this match up?
Jeff
February 15 2009 - 07:54 PM
Lousy actually.
On the TV side they have a great selection of channels, but all the HD channels are highly compressed and so the quality suffers as a result. FIOS is a better TV offering, and vs. cable your mileage may vary so check what packages are being offered.
On the internet side the only real advantage is you can get it anywhere you can see the satellites. But the quality of the connection, both in terms of bandwidth and latency, is a poor shadow of both cable and FIOS. Basically it’s better than dial-up, but that’s about all you can say for it.
One other issue is that FIOS and most cable operators will also take care of your phone landline and long distance at a greatly reduced rate if you get the whole package from them. DirectTV doesn’t offer local phone like that, so you’ll pay someone else for that and not get any pricing advantages as part of a larger bundle.
Finally DirectTV’s customer service is at least as awful as both Verizon and pick-your-cable-company.
So unless you have no other options, DirectTV is definitely not as good as FIOS or cable, at least from a total-package offering perspective.
Donna
March 24 2009 - 01:43 PM
I have Cable at home and FIOS at work. We see little to no difference in speed. Prices are about the same. The biggest difference besides the 80 HD-channel deficit is FIOS requires a contract that is impossible to get out of if you become unhappy with thier service. Where as our cable company is month to month and we find them to be a bit more accommadating.
hi def
May 07 2009 - 05:56 PM
I currently have both and the fios offers a lot more substance in regards to a bunch of stuff i"ll probably never use. But the comcast picture on my high def LCD is much more crisp with the comcast hookup. internet speed is noticeably fatser with the fios- now i must decide which one to keep. they are in a bidding war and i have gotten both to reduce price significantly. i am quit weary of the fios contract though
Kevin
June 12 2009 - 06:26 PM
Whoever wrote this article is way off in saying that Comcast’s network is comprised of “standard old coaxial cable.” That’s simply not true.
Comcast’s network in comprised of a fiber optic/ coaxial network, just like FIOS. FIOS is not fiber only. They provide fiber to the house, yes, but not to the computer. The FIOS fiber connection is convrted at the house (the garage) to run on coxial calbe. The only dfference is that Comcast’s fiber only goes to their nodes where as FIOS fiber goes to the house. Ultimately, both are converted to cable, just a different points.
Also the speeds are pretty much identical now with Comcast’s DOCSIS 3.0.