Why You Can Trust CNET Comcast Now Offers Triple-Gig Internet Speeds Nationwide
Xfinity's top speeds have gone up on the West Coast to match those across the country. Should you hop on board?
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Comcast has revved up the speed of its Gigabit Pro plan.
Comcast recently increased its Xfinity internet speeds in California to match what it's offering nationwide. This means top uploads and downloads are now 3 gigabits per second for the company's highest and most expensive speed tier, the $300 per month Gigabit Pro plan.
Previously tied with Google Fiber for the fastest residential internet plan, at 2Gbps, Comcast Xfinity now sees itself in the lead among major US internet service providers due to the speed boost. Last November, Xfinity released a report showing that its average customer has 12 devices in the home and high-end Xfinity users have 30 or more. Though it's more speed than just about any household currently needs, the symmetrical speeds of a 3Gbps plan are as future-proofed as it gets and would certainly help keep those devices running smoothly and without fail.
The 3Gbps Gigabit Pro plan isn't just available to all Xfinity customers across California. It is now the national standard for Xfinity's top-level residential plan, a Comcast spokesperson said.
Locating local internet providers
According to Federal Communications Commission data from mid-2020, Comcast's fiber option is available to only 0.02% of its national footprint. Granted, that data is more than a year old, but it raises the question: How many Xfinity addresses actually qualify for the fiber Gigabit Pro plan?
The Comcast spokesperson didn't have the latest figures but confirmed that a site survey is still necessary to determine if your address is eligible for the Gigabit Pro plan.
Locating local internet providers
One last splash of cold water: Unlike some ISPs that don't require a contract, Gigabit Pro customers must sign a two-year minimum agreement at $300 a month. If you cancel before those 24 months have expired, you owe early termination fees. Triple-gig speeds may be here, but they won't come cheap.