Comcast Sues Qwest Over Alleged False Internet Advertising Claim

Qwest's claim in television, online, and newspaper advertisements that its Internet service is as fast or faster than Comcast is being challenged in court by the cable and broadband provider.

Qwest's company headquarters in Denver, Colorado.

AP

Philadelphia-based Comcast , the nation's largest cable company, said Denver-based Qwest is engaging in false advertising with its claim based on a survey. A lawsuit filed Monday asked a judge to block Qwest from making the claim and also seeks "corrective" advertisements.

Qwest's advertising says 72% of Internet users said Qwest was as fast or faster than Comcast, which according to the cable company is causing "irreparable harm and damage to Comcast, as well as to consumers."

"Qwest, fully aware that Comcast's Internet services are substantially faster, has attempted to avoid this fact by relying on a fundamentally flawed and illegitimate survey of consumer 'opinions' concerning a matter of fact," according to court documents.

Comcast claimed its cable-modem service can be proved faster than Qwest's DSL-service.

"The results of this blind side-by-side survey have touched a nerve," Qwest spokesman Bob Toevs told The Associated Press. "While any legal questions will be answered in court, we will not back away from a key point: Qwest provides a better deal and overall performance, value and our industry leading customer service."

Comcast is the nation's largest cable operator with 24.2 million cable customers and 12.1 million high-speed Internet customers. Qwest is a telecommunications company that also provides regional phone service in 14 states, mostly in the West.