When it comes to choosing a reliable Internet Service Provider (ISP) for your business, Verizon Business and Comcast Business are two of the top contenders. Both companies offer a range of services designed to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes.
Verizon Business is known for its robust network infrastructure and extensive coverage, making it a popular choice for enterprises. On the other hand, Comcast Business provides a variety of flexible plans and competitive pricing, appealing to small and medium-sized businesses.
In this article, we'll compare Verizon Business and Comcast Business across several key factors to help you determine which ISP is the best fit for your business needs.
Overview of Verizon Business
Verizon Business, founded in 2000, has been a key player in the telecommunications industry for 24 years. Headquartered in New York, New York, the company employs around 105,000 people and holds the 31st spot on the Fortune 500 list.
Operating in 39 countries, Verizon Business is known for its innovative solutions, such as 5G technology and private networks. These advancements help businesses like Vay Technology and Binsky & Snyder enhance their operations and efficiency.
Overview of Comcast Business
Comcast Business, founded in 1963, has been serving the business community for 61 years. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the company employs around 190,000 people and holds the 33rd spot on the Fortune 500 list.
Operating exclusively in the United States, Comcast Business is known for its 99.9% network reliability and comprehensive cybersecurity services. One of their unique offerings includes a 5-year price lock for Gig-speed Internet and security rates, providing stability and predictability for businesses.
ISP Products
DIA
Verizon Business offers its Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) product with a wide range of speeds from 10 Mbps to 100 Gbps, utilizing an extensive fiber network spanning 900,000 miles. This service comes with a 99.99% uptime SLA and no utilization caps, ensuring reliable and consistent performance. Common add-on services include static public IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, BGP routing, managed routers, DDoS mitigation, and cloud connect options.
Comcast Business provides Ethernet Dedicated Internet (EDI) with similar speed options, ranging from 10 Mbps to 100 Gbps. Their service also boasts a 99.99% uptime SLA and no utilization caps, but it leverages a smaller fiber network of 200,000 miles, along with coax and hybrid fiber-coax transport types. Add-on services are comparable to Verizon's, featuring static public IP addresses, BGP routing, managed routers, and various security solutions.
Wireless
Verizon Business offers a comprehensive wireless product lineup, including 5G Business Internet and LTE Business Internet. These services cater to both fixed and mobile sites, providing robust connectivity options across the US, parts of Canada, and Mexico. Verizon's wireless broadband includes multiple 5G and LTE plans, although no specific Service Level Agreement (SLA) is mentioned.
Comcast Business, on the other hand, leverages Verizon's 5G network and its own WiFi hotspots through xfinity mobile. This service is available for phones and personal devices, with multiple plans subject to availability. Unlike Verizon, Comcast does not list any fixed wireless options or specific SLAs on their website.
Security
Verizon Business offers a comprehensive suite of security products designed to address a wide range of cyber threats. Their Zero Trust Dynamic Access serves as a robust cloud-based solution, acting as both the first and last line of defense against cyber threats. Additionally, their SASE Management provides a unified network and security management service, making a strategic shift to an identity-centric approach. For businesses needing continuous protection, Verizon's Managed Detection and Response Services offer 24/7 monitoring to quickly identify and mitigate security incidents.
Comcast Business, on the other hand, focuses on streamlined and integrated security solutions. Their Security Edge acts as the first line of defense against cyberattacks, providing essential protection for businesses. For more advanced needs, Comcast's Managed Security suite includes Managed VPN, Unified Threat Management (UTM), and DDoS protection. These services offer robust functionality from a single device, enhanced monitoring, and comprehensive threat mitigation, all managed by Comcast to ensure business continuity.
Broadband
Verizon Business offers its Fios Internet with symmetrical speeds ranging from 200 Mbps to 2 Gbps, ensuring consistent upload and download rates. This service is delivered over a pure fiber network, providing a 99.99% uptime guarantee and unlimited data usage, making it ideal for businesses with high data demands.
Comcast Business Internet, on the other hand, provides asymmetrical speeds up to 1.25 Gbps download and 35 Mbps upload, utilizing a Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) network. While it also boasts a 99.99% uptime SLA, the service comes with a 1.2 TB monthly data cap, which may be a limitation for data-intensive operations.
Ethernet
Verizon Business offers its Fios Internet with symmetrical speeds ranging from 200 Mbps to 2 Gbps, delivered over a pure fiber network. This service ensures a 99.99% uptime guarantee and unlimited data usage, making it ideal for businesses with high data demands. The symmetrical upload and download speeds provide consistent performance, crucial for data-intensive operations.
Comcast Business's Ethernet Network Services (ENS) provide fully meshed Ethernet connectivity, ideal for connecting multiple business locations across a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN). With port speeds ranging from 10 Mbps to 100 Gbps, ENS offers flexible bandwidth options to meet the demands of high data traffic. This multipoint-to-multipoint solution allows businesses to operate as if on the same Local Area Network (LAN), ensuring seamless communication and data transfer between locations.
POTS Replacement
Verizon Business does not offer a dedicated POTS replacement product, instead referring customers to partners like CSG or MarketSpark for solutions that handle fax, alarm, and elevator lines. This approach means that Verizon relies on third-party providers to meet the specific needs of businesses requiring POTS replacement, including compliance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72 code.
In contrast, Comcast Business offers its own POTS replacement product called Business Voice. This service is designed for fax, alarm, and point-of-sale applications and requires Comcast Business Internet to avoid service fees for unlimited talk and text. Additionally, Comcast Business Voice includes an optional wireless (LTE) failover and a 5-hour internal battery, ensuring continuity during power outages. While it provides unlimited local calling, long-distance calls may incur additional charges.
Other Key Features
Geographic Coverage
Verizon Business operates in 39 countries, offering a wide range of services. Their extensive coverage ensures businesses can stay connected and efficient, no matter where they are located.
Comcast Business operates exclusively in the United States, providing reliable and high-speed internet services to businesses across the country. Their focus is on delivering top-notch connectivity nationwide.
SLA
Both Verizon Business and Comcast Business offer a 99.99% uptime Service Level Agreement (SLA). This means their networks are designed to be highly reliable, with minimal downtime.
For customers, this translates to less than an hour of downtime per year. This reliability is crucial for businesses that depend on constant internet access for their operations.
In practical terms, a strong uptime guarantee ensures that your business can run smoothly without frequent interruptions, helping maintain productivity and customer satisfaction.
Transport Types Available
Verizon Business offers speeds from 10 Mbps to 100 Gbps, using a vast 900,000-mile fiber network. This makes it great for businesses needing high-speed internet for streaming, gaming, or heavy data use.
Comcast Business also provides speeds from 10 Mbps to 100 Gbps but uses a smaller 200,000-mile fiber network, along with coax and hybrid fiber-coax. This is ideal for small to medium businesses with moderate internet needs.
Both ISPs cater to different customer needs, ensuring reliable and fast internet for various activities, from streaming and gaming to business operations.
Customer Support
Verizon Business offers 24/7 customer support, ensuring help is always available when you need it. Their support team is known for being responsive and knowledgeable.
Comcast Business also provides round-the-clock customer support. They have a reputation for quick response times and effective solutions to common issues.
Both companies aim to keep their customers happy with reliable support, making sure any problems are resolved quickly and efficiently.
Final Verdict
Verizon Business excels with its extensive global coverage and advanced technologies like 5G and private networks, making it ideal for large enterprises with complex needs. Their robust security offerings and high-speed fiber network cater to businesses requiring top-tier performance and reliability.
Comcast Business, with its competitive pricing and flexible plans, is well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses. Their focus on integrated security solutions and reliable internet services within the U.S. makes them a strong contender for businesses prioritizing cost-effectiveness and simplicity.
Both ISPs offer 99.99% uptime guarantees and 24/7 customer support, ensuring minimal downtime and responsive service. Ultimately, the choice depends on your business size, budget, and specific connectivity needs.
Get Started with the Right ISP Today
Choosing the right ISP is crucial for your business's success. Evaluate your specific needs, whether it's high-speed internet, robust security, or cost-effective plans, and select the provider that aligns best with your requirements.
To simplify your telecom procurement, sign up with Lightyear and streamline the process with data-driven software.
