Comcast business customers get free speed boost

The CATV provider's Business Class Internet service is increasing its speeds to 16 Mbps download/2 Mbps upload nationwide at no additional cost to subscribers.

Previously, these speeds were only attainable when the company's PowerBoost speed enhancement was active in the "Enhanced" package deal.

The patent-pending enhancer was introduced in 2006, and affords an additional amount of bandwidth to downloads when available, typically doubling the transfer rate, which then gets throttled back to the capped speed. Today's announcement increases the capped speed to all business class customers, and subsequently raises the PowerBoost ceiling as well.

Business packages come in two flavors: Preferred, (also called "enhanced") guarantees the increased 16 Mbps / 2Mbps speed for $89.95 per month. Starter (also called "standard") which offers 6 Mbps / 1 Mbps speeds for $59.95 a month. Both packages include PowerBoost, SharePoint, IP Gateway, McAfee VirusScan, and 24-hour Business Class Support.