U-Verse vs. Comcast

AT&T; U-Verse offers several digital cable service packages, which range from basic local cable channels only to family- or Spanish language-oriented packages to premium packages with up to 410 channels. Sports, international channels, movies, DVR service, HD and 3-D access may be added to any package. Additionally, U-Verse offers TV Multiview, which allows you to watch four television shows at once. Comcast's fiber-optic cable service, XFinity, offers packages with On Demand programming, remote DVR access and the option to watch shows recorded to the DVR on any television set in the house. All packages that include HD access also include 3-D and On Demand access.

U-Verse's Wireless Gateway is a central "brain" that connects your Internet service to your cable service and allows you to control your DVR, networked printers and other Wi-Fi enabled devices. Plans are available with download speeds that range from 3 mbps to 24 mbps, all of which come with an Internet security suite that keeps out viruses and identity thieves. With download speeds up to 20 mbps, all of Comcast's XFinity high speed internet service plans come with Constant Guard, a suite of anti-virus and anti-identity theft utilities, as well as 2 MB of personal web space and up to 10 email accounts with 10 GB of storage apiece.

U-Verse allows you to see your voicemails remotely from your smartphone or computer, and choose which one to listen to first. The U-Verse Wireless Gateway includes an emergency battery backup. Several plans are available, ranging from 250 minutes to unlimited, from local calls only to long distance. All of the plans include standard features such as caller ID and call waiting. Comcast's XFinity telephone services also allow you to remotely check your landline voice mail from your smartphone or computer and include caller ID and call waiting. A range of plans are available, from local calls only to unlimited long distance.

U-Verse has an extensive customer support section on their website, including tutorials. Additionally, they offer 24-hour live chat and phone tech support. Comcast offers a customer support guarantee. Its tenets include a 30-day, money-back guarantee, an offer of a $20 account credit for service provider lateness and quick resolution of routine issues, and a promise to treat all customers with courtesy and respect.