Starlink Vs. Comcast is the perfect side-by-side comparison for anyone looking for an internet service provider.
According to an FCC report, 14-24 million Americans lack reliable high-speed broadband internet access.
With the world shifting to remote work that relies on internet connectivity, more people need to connect to reliable internet.
Starlink Vs. Xfinity is one of many battles between legacy players and new entrants that could transform the future ISP landscape.
Both ISPs promise fast and reliable internet.
However, they rely on different technologies affecting speed, transmission, cost, and reliability.
Suppose you want to connect to the internet grid, this Starlink Vs. Comcast Xfinity guide is right for you.
Table of Contents
Comcast Brief Introduction
Comcast started as a small cable company in 1963 in Tupelo, Mississippi.
Diversified into internet provision, rolling out Xfinity. It is one of the longest-running internet companies in the US.
Its equipment provides cable, wireless, and fiber connectivity to millions of homes and businesses.
However, users can access some of its internet services with zero charges if they use their equipment.
Delivery Mode
Comcast uses cable and fiber to provide TV and Internet services
Comcast uses a hybrid cable and fiber system to deliver high-speed internet to its subscribers.
Coaxial cable accounts for most of their infrastructure.
For most people living in busy urban areas, this delivery mode works.
You might have to upgrade Comcast’s Business plan to use its fiber infrastructure.
Starlink uses low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites 340 miles from Earth and 5G cellular networks.
It has a vast network of global ground stations(147 current gateways) that help transmit relatively low-latency internet.
Latency
Applications like online gaming that rely on fast real-time zero-delay data transfer do well with minimal latency internet. Here, Comcast is a great performer.
Comcast Xfinity’s latency swings between 15-30ms with a 2ms delay.
However, some subscribers reveal latency between 5 and 25ms with Xfinity.
Comparatively, Starlink has much higher latency at 40-70ms.
Starlink plans to lower that latency to 10-20ms when they launch up to 30,000 satellites into low earth orbit and complete the remaining 19 ground stations.
Speed
A user testing internet speed
Most people prioritize speed when choosing an ISP.
Comcast offers 75 Mbps as the starter speed for most users.
However, it has other tiers offering between 900 Mbps and 1 Gbps.
On the contrary, Starlink offers 150 Mbps as their starter plan.
Starlink Internet speeds can peak at 500 Mbps.
However, on the Giganet plan, users can benefit from the 1Gbps.
Compared to other satellite ISPs, Starlink offers better speeds.
Like the latency, Space X says they plan to increase the speeds, especially at the starter level.
Users can expect consistent 300 Mbps download speeds.
While they aren’t anything to sneer at, Comcast Xfinity upload speeds peak at 35 Mbps.
Users subscribed to the standard Connect plan only get about 5 Mbps upload speeds.
On the other hand, Starlink gives its users between 5 and 25 Mbps.
Installation
Starlink and Comcast Xfinity have equipment and installation costs.
Starlink charges you a one-time $599 fee.
The fee can go up to $2500 if you subscribe to their other custom plans (maritime, RV, and Business).
Still, they give subscribers a starter kit, and they can DIY their installation.
Conversely, Comcast allows customers to buy their router and modem or rent the combo for $14-$25 monthly.
Installation costs for Comcast’s Xfinity are between $40 and $90, depending on the area and local rates.
Subscriber Count
An Internet user experiencing a delay
For a company founded in 1963, it’s not surprising that the internet service has over 30 million subscribers.
Xfinity, as a brand, was established in 2010.
Interestingly, DC has the most extensive coverage in the US, at 97.9%.
Starlink’s waiting list keeps expanding.
The satellite service already has 1,000,000 subscribers using it.
There were about 500,000 more probable subscribers on the waiting list.
They’d have to wait between 4 and 8 weeks to receive their equipment if Starlink availed it.
The subscriber count could change, though.
Starlink has announced plans to upgrade and boost speeds.
Availability
Internet connectivity in a city setting
Comcast may be a giant in the US, but Starlink is fast catching up.
Comcast Xfinity covers about 40 states, making it one of the biggest ISPs in the States.
However, Starlink, despite its premise to cover people in rural areas, has a global presence.
The company wants to establish a worldwide footprint.
Availability could influence which ISP you get if you’re choosing Starlink Vs. Comcast.
Cost
Compared to Starlink, Comcast Xfinity has a more defined data plan.
Here’s a table breaking down the costs and speeds for various tiers.
| Xfinity Data Plan | Speed | Charge | Conditions |
| Xfinity Performance Starter(Connect) | 25 Mbps-75 Mbps | $30 | 12 months, no contract + $10/month automatic billing (Excluding taxes + equipment) |
| Xfinity Performance Select(Connect More) | 100 Mbps-200 Mbps | $25 | 24 months, no contract + $10/month automatic billing(Excluding taxes) |
| Xfinity Performance Pro+(Fast) | 200 Mbps-350 Mbps | $55 | 24 months, no contract + $10/month automatic billing(Excluding taxes + equipment) |
| Blast Pro+(Superfast) | 400 Mbps-600 Mbps | $65 | 24 months, no contract + $10/month automatic billing(Excluding taxes + equipment) |
| Extreme Blast Pro+(Gigabit) | 800 Mbps-1 Gbps | $75 | 24 months, no contract + $10/month automatic billing(Excluding taxes + equipment) |
| Gigabit Extra | 1.2 Gbps | $80 | 24 months, no contract + $10/month automatic billing(Excluding taxes) |
Starlink’s plans start at $110 with a $99 deposit.
However, there are special plans. Starlink RV attracts an extra $25 moving fee.
For $500 a month and a $2500 user terminal fee,
Starlink Business users get between 150 and 500 Mbps.
Starlink Maritime attracts a $5000 monthly fee for 350 Mbps.
Additionally, you get a maritime-grade $10,000 terminal.
Customer Support
There is a stack difference in customer support handling between Comcast Xfinity vs. Starlink.
While Comcast has various ways for subscribers to reach them, Starlink has limited customer service channels.
Comcast’s customer service channels include:
- Xfinity Chatbot
- Xfinity Status Center for outages and troubleshooting
- Text through the Xfinity app
In comparison, the only way to access Starlink customer service is through the Starlink Web and app ticket system.
The company does not have an official customer service email or phone number.
That difference alone could influence your choice.
However, Comcast internet users complain about sloppy customer support in forums and Xfinity user communities.
Conversely, you can contact a Starlink customer service agent within 72 hours of initiating a ticket.
Data Capping
Most users don’t have to worry about data capping whether they’re using Comcast Xfinity or Starlink Internet.
However, heavy users might be cautious before settling on Comcast Xfinity.
Xfinity has a 1.2Tb data cap.
Starlink, on the contrary, doesn’t have data capping.
However, it reserves the right to implement a data cap.
Once Xfinity hits you with the data cap for the month, you either get slower speeds, or you can subscribe to alternative Comcast data plans.
Is Starlink Better Than Comcast?
Starlink poses a potentially fierce rivalry with traditional ISPs such as Comcast.
However, Comcast Xfinity appears to be the better internet provider.
It’s been there longer, with established delivery methods and multiple customer support channels.
Comcast also has better coverage with affordable monthly charges. It’s a tough choice, but Comcast comes out over Starlink.
However, Starlink is better for users in a remote location or where internet coverage is still unreliable.
With the company’s pledge to improve its satellite and ground systems, Starlink is bound to take over as the preferred ISP for most people.
Final Take
There’s a higher demand for better speeds, better customer service, and less lag in internet provision.
New entrants focusing on satellite technology like Starlink will likely unsettle reputable older companies like Comcast.
This competition only helps the final consumer since service will likely improve.
