Don’t be fooled: Comcast’s ‘10G’ doesn’t mean what you think

You in all probability already know that 5G is a extensively used abbreviation for a model of cellular community requirements. (Additionally, that it’s essentially the most present normal in use.) That “G” slapped subsequent to the quantity means “technology.” It’s not a reference to the obtain or add speeds you get in your cellphone.

You additionally could have already seen the commercials about Comcast’s new 10G Xfinity community blanketing the airwaves and different platforms. And for the reason that Xfinity web site doesn’t actually make clear what “10G” means, you may assume that the corporate’s dwelling web service is a quicker model of 5G. Even in the event you dig round and bump into Comcast’s company webpage about 10G, its reference to “multi-gig speeds” gained’t essentially dispel your preliminary impression.

That’s doubtless what Comcast’s advertising and marketing staff needs from co-opting cable-industry jargon created in 2019, lengthy after the naming of mobile networks started. However don’t allow them to confuse you. “10G” is a reference to 10Gbps, or the utmost velocity the Xfinity broadband community is able to. You’re studying that proper: It has nothing to do with mobile community terminology (like 5G) in any way, and Comcast’s service is for dwelling web, not cellular. It’s deeply deceptive.

Actually, Xfinity’s 10G community is technically slower than 5G. Peak theoretical throughput on an uncongested 5G community presents as much as 20Gbps obtain and 10Gbps add. Xfinity caps out at 10Gbps down and up.

The humorous half is, Comcast ought to win the real-world battle right here. Virtually talking, your telephone on a 5G community will undergo from slowdowns on account of congestion and sign power, making wire-based Xfinity connections doubtless faster. Present studies put high 5G obtain speeds between 3Gbps to 10Gbps within the wild.

However Comcast is tooting its personal horn earlier than its multi-gig community has change into widespread. Most prospects can get simply 1Gbps down as the perfect plan, with an absurdly asymmetrical add velocity of 35Mbps (sure, megabits). And whereas quicker uploads are slowly rolling out to completely different places, entry is just accessible whenever you decide into the corporate’s $30/month xFi Full add-on, which incorporates limitless knowledge and different extras. Oof.

Replace, October 2023: Seems that the Nationwide Promoting Division, the group shaped by the advert {industry} to self-regulate fact in promoting, agrees that Comcast’s 10G marketing campaign is deceptive. As noticed by Ars Technica, the NAD has issued a press launch recommending that Comcast both cease claiming 10G or be clearer that the corporate remains to be working towards offering such speeds. This rebuke was issued after T-Cellular filed a problem. In the identical submit, the org has additionally urged Comcast to make clear that web service is unavailable throughout energy outages.

Lengthy story quick, take Comcast’s boasts about its new community with an enormous grain of salt. Many individuals will in all probability assume a 10G community is best than a 5G community, nevertheless it’s simply not the case—evaluating the 2 is like pitting apples towards oranges. In the meantime, AT&T’s “gigillionaire” promoting marketing campaign could also be arduous to take a seat by way of, however no less than the language isn’t difficult to grasp.

Editor’s word: This story was initially revealed on March 20, 2023, and up to date on October 23, 2023 with details about the NAD’s name for Comcast to halt or change using 10G in its commercials.