AT&T; and Comcast are telecommunications companies that offer high-speed Internet services. Both companies offer Internet service on its own or in a package deal that also contains phone and/or television service. "High-speed" is a generic term used to describe Internet connections that operate faster than dial-up, so although both companies offer high-speed Internet services, it doesn't mean that each service is exactly the same. Compare the services that AT&T; and Comcast offer before you buy.
High-Speed Internet
AT&T; offers Internet services through a digital subscriber line, commonly known as DSL. The speed of DSL varies, depending on the service provider and which Internet contract you purchase. The speed of AT&T;'s DSL service ranges between 768 kilobytes and 6 megabytes per second. Comcast provides DSL service as well, but the speeds are faster than the average DSL connection. Comcast uses Powerboost technology, which gives its DSL service speeds between 2 megabytes and 16 megabytes per second. Comcast's Extreme 105 Internet service operates at up to 105 megabytes per second.
Package Deals
Packages deals, commonly known as "bundles," include two or more of the following services; phone, cable TV and Internet. Bundles are often offered at a discounted rate. AT Double Packs and Triple Packs. Double Packs include cable television and Internet services. Triple Packs include cable television, Internet and either home phone or wireless phone services. Comcast only offers one bundle which is known as the XFINITY Triple Play. XFINITY Triple Play includes digital home phone, cable television and high-speed Internet services.
Features
AT you must rent a router and pay an extra monthly fee. AT&T; includes McAfee Security Suite and 11 email accounts with Internet service. Comcast includes Constant Guard and Norton Security Suite, Smartzone Communications Center, which is an Internet and email service that includes seven email accounts and 10 gigabytes of online storage, and more than 3,500 games provided by ESPN.
Price
At the time of this article's publication, purchasing Internet access from AT&T; on its own will cost between $19.95 and $24.95. From Comcast, Internet on its own will cost between $29.95 and $199.95 per month. Bundles from AT&T; that include Internet service cost between $64 and $127 per month, while Comcast's XFINITY Triple Play costs $99 per month. Additional features not standard with Internet service cost extra. Neither company offers its services to the entire country. Before purchasing, see if service is available in your area by visiting each company's website.
References
- AT&T;: DSL High Speed Internet Direct -- Plans with No Home Phone Service Required
- AT&T;: Bundles -- Phone, Internet, Digital TV and Wireless Packages
- Comcast: XFINITY Internet from Comcast
- Comcast: XFINITY Triple Play
- Comcast: Products
- Comcast: Compare Comcast vs. AT&T; U-Verse