Comcast Vs. Qwest DSL

Comcast offers customers two plans, each catering to moderate or frequent users of the Internet. With the Performance plan, speeds are ideal for sharing pictures, emailing and web browsing. Higher connection speeds with Comcast's Blast! plan are recommended for customers who use the Internet for gaming and streaming or downloading videos, and for households with multiple users and computers. At the time of publication, Qwest offered a broader range of options, with five plans featuring varying connection speeds that match individual users' needs.

Qwest offers plans that range in download speeds of up to 1.5, 7, 12, 20 and 40 megabits per second. In comparison, Comcast provides download speeds of up to 12 Mbps. In addition, Comcast plans feature a PowerBoost feature that temporarily increases speeds to up to 15 and 20 Mbps. According to the 2010 PC Magazine Reader's Choice Awards, Comcast received high ratings for connection speeds but ranked lower than average in other categories, including reliability, customer service and technical support. In comparison, Qwest ranked lower than Comcast in terms of connections speeds but received higher ratings in other categories and overall satisfaction.

Qwest plans feature the Qwest @East suite, which includes data backup, security and support services such as online backup, warranty coverage, Norton AntiVirus Online and free online and phone support. Similarly, Comcast offers customers Constant Guard, an online protection suite that includes a Norton security suite with anti-virus protection, secure data backup and sharing, and identity theft protection. Customers with Comcast can register up to seven email accounts, while Qwest subscribers can register up to 11 email accounts. Qwest subscribers also have access to Wi-Fi, powered by AT&T;, at hotspots across the country.

Subscribers to a Qwest high-speed Internet plan can select a wireless modem that will provide Internet to wireless-enabled devices in a household. For users with personal computers that are not wireless-enabled, customers can also request a Qwest wireless adaptor that connects to a computer's USB port. Comcast customers can use a range of wired and wireless Internet modems to access high speed Internet services.