Comparison of Verizon Triple Play to Comcast Triple Play

As of June 2011, Verizon has two Triple Play options. The first FiOS Triple Play package offers HD television programming, high-speed FiOS Internet and unlimited telephone use. The second package is more expensive but offers more HD television channels, faster Internet speeds and unlimited telephone use. In addition to the Verizon's Triple Play offerings, there are two FiOS Double Play services. One Double Play packaged includes Internet and telephone service, while the second option offers FiOS Internet and television programming. Comcast has four XFINITY Triple Play options including the Starter FX Triple Play, HD Preferred XF, HD Preferred Plus XF and HD Premier XF. All of these plans include unlimited calling in the United States, but the television and Internet services vary depending on the plan. Of the four options, the Starter FX package provides the slimmest package of television, Internet and telephone service. The HD Preferred XF option basically adds channels to the Starter FX plan and costs more. The third plan, HD Preferred Plus XF, is the enhanced version of the HD Preferred XF plan, adding more channels and Comcast's "FAST" Internet service. HD Premier XF is the top-level Triple Play plan offering the most channels and "FAST" Internet service.

As of June 2011, Verizon's basic FiOS Triple Play package includes more than 195 television channels, with 50 of them being in HD quality. The enhanced Triple Play plan includes 70 HD channels and more than 285 channels in total. Both plans utilize fiber-optic digital technology and also include access to Verizon's On Demand library. The Comcast Starter FX Triple Play provides 80 television channels. The HD Preferred XF includes 160 television channels. Comcast's HD Preferred Plus XF has 170 channels and incorporates premium cable channels such as HBO and Starz. HD Premier XF plan has 200 channels and adds more premium cable channels such as Showtime and the Sports Entertainment Package. All Triple Play plans include access to Comcast's On Demand programming service.

Verizon's basic Triple Play plan comes with 15 Mbps fiber-optic Internet, nine email accounts, 10 MB of Web space and Wi-Fi hotspot access. The high-end plan ups Internet speeds to 25 Mbps. From Comcast, the Starter XF and HD Preferred XF plans offer high-speed Internet service at 12 Mbps. HD Preferred Plus XF and HD Premier XF offer faster Internet downloads, clocking in at 15 Mbps.

In both of Verizon's Triple Play plans, the company provides landline phone service with unlimited national calling in the United States. Verizon also provides Caller ID and voicemail service. Similar to Verizon's Triple Play, all four of Comcast's Triple Play plans include landline service with unlimited nationwide calling as well as Caller ID and voicemail.