Comcast will Launch a 305 Mbps Broadband Access Service in Verizon FiOS Areas

Comcast is planning to offer a 305 Mbps downstream tier sometime before the end of the year in markets where Verizon sells FiOS, DSLReports reports.

That is significant not only because it suggests Comcast wants to be competitive with Verizon FiOS, but also because it suggests the agency agreements Comcast and Verizon want to sign, giving each company the right to sell the other company's products, will not reduce competition.

Even if you think the upgrade is designed to reassure Department of Justice officials said to be skeptical about the agency agreements, any such move will force Comcast to market competitive services where it already competes with Verizon. Those are the very areas where some worry competition will be less, if the marketing agreements are approved.