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Comcast Launches Online Backup Service
Created by Mozy (who offers the same service for less money?)

Back in January 2009 we exclusively reported that Comcast was cooking up an online backup and storage service called "Secure Backup and Share." More than a year later and Comcast is officially announcing that the service is launching nationwide. They've shaken up the pricing a little from our initial report, offering users 50 GB of storage for $5 a month or $50 a year, or 200 GB of storage for $9.99 a month or $100 a year. All Comcast users will get 2GB of backup storage free.

Click for full size
But wait a second. The service is created by Mozy, who already offers 2 GB of storage free to any Joe who walks in off the street. For $4.95 a month (or $100 for two years), Mozy offers unlimited storage. You're actually paying more money for Comcast's branded version. Why?

The only difference we can see, after perusing the Comcast Backup and Share website, is that Comcast's giving you a secure vault you can access via a unique URL from any device, anywhere. That jibes with our original source, who also stated there would be some restrictions placed on sharing vault music files with others because of copyright concerns.

Keep in mind that unlike using Mozy on a carrier without caps, Comcast's Backup And Secure service will count against your 250 GB monthly cap, though it seems unlikely that Comcast would really punish paying, heavy users of this service. The question remains whether anybody is actually interested in a backup and storage service from their ISP. Are any Comcast customers thinking about buying the service?

Update: Comcast's Jay Opperman stops by our comment section below to try and explain why Comcast's version of Mozy's service is more expensive:
quote:
Secure Backup and Share (SBS) is much more than just a backup product. Comcast believes the emerging technologies for cloud computing and storage are the next wave of the future. Mobility is key and access anytime, anywhere, from any device is critical. SBS is the first of many products Comcast has in store for its customers. Remote access and sharing from a PC at home or away, or mobile phone is an integral part of social networking as well. So you see, SBS is much more than Backup and we have great plans for extending the feature set.
The added value would possibly depend on what Comcast's "plans to extend the feature set" entail. Is the ability to access backed-up files from anywhere worth the significantly higher price tag?
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patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY

patcat88

Member

good

Atleast Comcast hasn't yet turned on their NN pledge and created any in-house services which bypass the cap.

inferno4
join:2008-07-06

inferno4

Member

Mozy is better

Would never use this, carbonite and mozy are way better

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

1 recommendation

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: Mozy is better

said by inferno4:

Would never use this, carbonite and mozy are way better
You can get 25GB free from MS with Windows Live Skydrive.
iansltx
join:2007-02-19
Austin, TX

iansltx to inferno4

Member

to inferno4
Carbonite sucks. Throttling out the Wazoo.

Also, Comcast USES Mozy. It's just rebranded.

rawgerz
The hell was that?
Premium Member
join:2004-10-03
Grove City, PA

rawgerz

Premium Member

Re: Mozy is better

Throttling on what, down or up?
iansltx
join:2007-02-19
Austin, TX

iansltx

Member

Re: Mozy is better

I think both but I'm 99% sure that upstream is limited to 2 Mbps or something. Might be different with the Cmcast client though.
fldiver
Premium Member
join:1999-12-27
Jacksonville, FL

fldiver to iansltx

Premium Member

to iansltx
Why would ANYONE in their right mind store personal data in the cloud..sorry but that is just plain nuts.
iansltx
join:2007-02-19
Austin, TX

iansltx

Member

Re: Mozy is better

Please explain.

Also, what do you use for e-mail?
digitlman
join:2009-12-29
Cary, NC

digitlman

Member

Proofread?

Mozy, not Moxy.

Didn't the URL you linked give you a clue?
caco
Premium Member
join:2005-03-10
Whittier, AK

caco

Premium Member

Re: Proofread?

said by digitlman:

Mozy, not Moxy.

Didn't the URL you linked give you a clue?
Storm the BBR gates!

ptrowski
Got Helix?
Premium Member
join:2005-03-14
Woodstock, CT

ptrowski to digitlman

Premium Member

to digitlman
said by digitlman:

Mozy, not Moxy.

Didn't the URL you linked give you a clue?
Oh my god a typo! Off with Karl's head that bastard!

Get over it.

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

1 recommendation

Karl Bode to digitlman

News Guy

to digitlman
Fixed, thanks. Oddly I decided to spell it correctly further down in the story, so go figure. I've uh, beheaded the intern responsible and yanked all privileges to the company car and corporate rental co-op in the Yucatan.

MalibuMaxx
Premium Member
join:2007-02-06
Chesterton, IN

MalibuMaxx

Premium Member

Re: Proofread?

Awe poor intern...

wifi4milez
Big Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY

wifi4milez

Member

DEJA VU???

Lets review, shall we?

1) Comcast unveils Pivot, which was nothing more than Sprint service they resold for more money than it was available directly from Sprint.
2) Pivot fails miserably, because, well, nobody cares enough and having a single bill for cable and wireless service isnt compelling if it costs more money.

2a) The 'brilliant' marketing minds behind the Pivot fiasco are given raises and promoted.
2b) Those same 'brilliant' minds come up with another 'fantastic service'

3) Comcast unveils 'Online Backup Service', which is nothing more than resold Mozy service; except that it is more expensive
4) ......I will let you figure this one out.....

Moral of the story? Get a job at Comcast in marketing, and never worry about being unemployed again!!
ISurfTooMuch
join:2007-04-23
Tuscaloosa, AL

ISurfTooMuch

Member

I'll stick with G.ho.st

I'll stick with G.ho.st, thank you very much. I get all the storage I need, plus a virtual desktop, and it's free.

fuziwuzi
Not born yesterday
Premium Member
join:2005-07-01
Palm Springs, CA
Hitron EN2251
Nest H2D

fuziwuzi

Premium Member

Re: I'll stick with G.ho.st

said by ISurfTooMuch:

I'll stick with G.ho.st, thank you very much. I get all the storage I need, plus a virtual desktop, and it's free.
Only 1GB now and they currently have no option to increase that.

Jovi
Premium Member
join:2000-02-24
Mount Joy, PA

1 edit

Jovi

Premium Member

Hmmm...

Wonder if any Comcast employee's will answer this one? Or are the suits putting a muzzle on this?
axiomatic
join:2006-08-23
Tomball, TX

axiomatic

Member

Useless

My data storage needs are well over 348 Gb at this point.

So basically I could hit my cap and exceed it in one backup.

Useless to me at least.
iansltx
join:2007-02-19
Austin, TX

iansltx

Member

Re: Useless

Good thing you aren't using Comcast then! Because the soft cap will magically turn hard and you'll be kicked out despite their policy of a warning or two before expulsion...

sivran
Vive Vivaldi
Premium Member
join:2003-09-15
Irving, TX

sivran to axiomatic

Premium Member

to axiomatic
As well, I'd want some upstream speed to make using it less painful. Most of us cable users--particularly those of us in non-competitive markets (read: those without FIOS)--languish under sub-megabit upload speeds.

birdfeedr
MVM
join:2001-08-11
Warwick, RI

birdfeedr

MVM

Re: Useless

Even those with FiOS are languishing under Mozy's throttled speeds. Would you expect anything different for 5 bucks a month or 50 bucks a year? I think Carbonite is in the same boat.

»Anyone else using mozy with FIOS?
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9 to axiomatic

Premium Member

to axiomatic
You have 348 GB of new data each month that you need backed up?
axiomatic
join:2006-08-23
Tomball, TX

axiomatic

Member

Re: Useless

No 384 total, so truly only on the first backup would I hit my cap. The incremental backup updates would be FAR smaller.

And to the other poster, I am with comcast.
dubenezic
join:2004-05-06
Elizabeth, NJ

dubenezic to openbox9

Member

to openbox9
said by openbox9:

You have 348 GB of new data each month that you need backed up?
It's all porn!
jus10
join:2009-08-04
Gainesville, VA

jus10

Member

Umm, nope

I keep my must-have files synced in a Dropbox and mirror on my laptop and my HTPC. Since I'm not over 2Gig, at present I don't pay anything for the service.

Comcast often tries to add these value added services which seem like wastes. I guess they're afraid of being just a dumb pipe (which is what they are to me). Everything else is done better or cheaper by everyone else.

jopperman
@comcast.net

jopperman

Anon

Comcast Secure Backup and Share

Hi - This is Jay Opperman, Sr. Director Security and Privacy here at Comcast. I'd like to take this opportunity to respond to a few of the comments here on the post and answer questions as I can.

First, thank you to those who caught the typo, the essential backup service is provided by Mozy. We spent this last year or so putting serious work into testing and selecting a world class storage partner to provider a reliable and secure service. And if I may be so bold, the comments appear to confirm our selection.

In regards to pricing, Secure Backup and Share (SBS) is much more than just a backup product. Comcast believes the emerging technologies for cloud computing and storage are the next wave of the future. Mobility is key and access anytime, anywhere, from any device is critical. SBS is the first of many products Comcast has in store for its customers. Remote access and sharing from a PC at home or away, or mobile phone is an integral part of social networking as well. So you see, SBS is much more than Backup and we have great plans for extending the feature set.
jus10
join:2009-08-04
Gainesville, VA

1 recommendation

jus10

Member

Re: Comcast Secure Backup and Share

Going by your blog post here: »blog.comcast.com/2010/02 ··· afe.html (which mentions the 2 gig free which I didn't notice before but is in the article above plain as day), this would appear to be the same set of features common to most of the online storage solutions at this point.

Being a budget analyst by trade, my job is usually to sniff out unexpected costs. I assume this product is linked to the Comcast account so if you switch internet providers you'd lose the account (if that is not so I'd be happy to hear it however your FAQ's here: »support.comcastvault.net ··· faq.html say "To use Secure Backup and Share, you must be a Comcast high speed internet customer."). As such, I really think that this would essentially be an add on service to encourage people to stay with Comcast (like that poster on here that keeps Comcast just for his comcast.net email address). So it's a value added service. Nothing wrong with that but to cater to the "power user" demographic frequent to BBR it would have to more than that. Although I imagine we really aren't the target demographic.

In regards to your immediate post above, um, with respect it uses a little too much IT Manager-ese. You didn't "synergize" anything at least but you do have a "wave of the future" ... which is based on tech that his been out since 2005-2006ish?. Again as an analyst, marketing speak strikes me as well fluff or from someone who has been in too many planning meetings on this topic. My recommendation: more fishing time, less whiteboard filled conference room time.

cameronsfx
join:2009-01-08
Panama City, FL

cameronsfx to jopperman

Member

to jopperman
said by jopperman:

Hi - This is Jay Opperman, Sr. Director Security and Privacy here at Comcast. I'd like to take this opportunity to respond to a few of the comments here on the post and answer questions as I can.

First, thank you to those who caught the typo, the essential backup service is provided by Mozy. We spent this last year or so putting serious work into testing and selecting a world class storage partner to provider a reliable and secure service. And if I may be so bold, the comments appear to confirm our selection.

In regards to pricing, Secure Backup and Share (SBS) is much more than just a backup product. Comcast believes the emerging technologies for cloud computing and storage are the next wave of the future. Mobility is key and access anytime, anywhere, from any device is critical. SBS is the first of many products Comcast has in store for its customers. Remote access and sharing from a PC at home or away, or mobile phone is an integral part of social networking as well. So you see, SBS is much more than Backup and we have great plans for extending the feature set.
Jay Opperman - Is this service encrypted like Carbonite (so Comcast can't peek or snoop)? Is backup guaranteed or money back? Even if they did, would a person store sensitive documents or files on it (like they do Carbonite--since encrypted)?

Mozy has this: "We protect your files with military-grade encryption—the same security online banks use during data transfer." A unique URL defeats Mozy's security, which I'm sure a Comcast person can see.

Since Carbonite is only $50 a year (Mozy is too), why is you rebranded service twice the price? Carbonite is free for 30 days with the code "Rush" or "Hannity" or "Fox" among others. Similar offer with Comcast's service?

I still don't get it when I can use an external HD (with full encryption) and take it anywhere.

NOCTech75
Premium Member
join:2009-06-29
Marietta, GA

NOCTech75 to jopperman

Premium Member

to jopperman
said by jopperman:

In regards to pricing, Secure Backup and Share (SBS) is much more than just a backup product. Comcast believes the emerging technologies for cloud computing and storage are the next wave of the future.
Yet you guys are doing everything in your power to dissuade the actual usage of this service(and others Comcast is trying to launch) since Comcast is going to the 250GB cap. If cloud computing is the next wave then get rid of the cap for the folks that actually use the next wave.
axiomatic
join:2006-08-23
Tomball, TX

axiomatic

Member

Re: Comcast Secure Backup and Share

RIGHT ON! Comcast has business models here in place that are counter productive against each other.

"Use this service we sell, but not to much or we'll penalize you."

Talk about your passive aggressive business models... sheesh!
iansltx
join:2007-02-19
Austin, TX

iansltx

Member

This has been out for a bit

I agree that Mozy, which last I checked throttles uploads to a few Mbps, has a better deal than Comcast, but at least this means that Comcast now has a direct connection to Mozy's data center for folks who want to use the service. Also, the online locker is a nice concept that Mozy (or any regular online back up service) doesn't offer right now.

Personally though I'd use BackBlaze.

cpsycho
join:2008-06-03
Treadeu Land

1 recommendation

cpsycho

Member

Government Accessible Backups

The way American corporations are running these days, they will let the government snoop in your files.

I think one needs to think real long and hard before using the cloud to backup your system.

In the long run its cheaper to buy another hard drive and eSATA you entire computer.

•••••

SLOBOB
@comcast.net

SLOBOB

Anon

dumb pipe vs dumb service

All these companies trying so hard to not be what they are: an access "pipe" if you will. How much healthier would their bottom line be if they just offered, oh I don't know..... online access! There is not a single service I use (free or not) from ANY service provider. None of their music services are worth anything, back ups that put me over cap, news services, etc....
The first provider who offers access only and stops spending on developing all this junk will win. At least my money..

lovswr
join:2001-09-15
Riverview, FL

lovswr

Member

Re: dumb pipe vs dumb service

said by SLOBOB :

All these companies trying so hard to not be what they are: an access "pipe" if you will. How much healthier would their bottom line be if they just offered, oh I don't know..... online access! There is not a single service I use (free or not) from ANY service provider. None of their music services are worth anything, back ups that put me over cap, news services, etc....
The first provider who offers access only and stops spending on developing all this junk will win. At least my money..
I completely agree. They are so afraid of being passed by & not getting in on the 'next big thing", that they can not see the golden goose right in front of them

SimbaSeven
I Void Warranties
join:2003-03-24
Billings, MT
·StarLink

SimbaSeven

Member

Build your own server..

Jeez.. It's not that difficult to build your own server.

1. Find an old computer (PII or higher). Make sure it has around 512MB of RAM.
2. Hunt for a small OS drive. The minimum should be 10GB.
3. Put 2 SATA Cards into the computer. You can get 4port SATA cards for cheap lately.
4. Put 4 (or more) 1.5TB SATA Drives into your computer.
5. Install Linux (or Windows) onto it and build the array as a RAID5.
6. Setup VNC or SSH on the box and just connect the power and ethernet cable.. Shove it in the closet or basement.
7. Start dumping your files to it.

There.. 4.5TB (or 9TB) of storage that's yours, not someone elses. We use Gentoo on our current 4.5TB Array (old Poweredge 1300) and it purrs along just fine (dual PII@400MHz).

•••••••••

Zero5
join:2009-07-01
Collegeville, PA

Zero5

Member

Oh let me guess..

Now that Mozy's service has been rebranded by Comcast that will no longer mean it is limited by that pesky 250GB monthly cap?

Everything is just magically better and superior with a little rebranding..isn't that right Xfinity?

Augustus III
If Only Rome Could See Us Now....
join:2001-01-25
Gainesville, GA

Augustus III

Member

oh dear

" we will never look at your files except when in the process of conducting customer support, upon the request of a law agency (including all regulatory groups) or when we are improving our service"

i bet you this is in the fine print.

•••

i1me2ao
Premium Member
join:2001-03-03
TEXAS

i1me2ao

Premium Member

any one read the details

can i upload all my pirated movies and songs??

ArrayList
DevOps
Premium Member
join:2005-03-19
Mullica Hill, NJ

1 recommendation

ArrayList

Premium Member

hey comcast

i'm sure you didn't notice that this doesn't support linux.

sdgtfasdzg
@pacbell.net

sdgtfasdzg

Anon

Do you trust Comcast

Do you trust Comcast with your personal, private, and financial data, given their history?

monk
@rr.com

monk

Anon

crap

why do you deal with this crappy company buy a good drive and do it your self or do you need some one to hold your hand put your life in some ones hands i don't think so

aaronwt
Premium Member
join:2004-11-07
Woodbridge, VA
Asus RT-AX89

1 edit

aaronwt

Premium Member

Re: crap

said by monk :

why do you deal with this crappy company buy a good drive and do it your self or do you need some one to hold your hand put your life in some ones hands i don't think so
Because as was stated earlier, you need protection in case of fire, theft, flood, etc. And using the online backup service makes more sense than having to take a hard drive to an off site location every day after the daily backup is completed. Which is the only way to ensure that it's safe. It needs to be stored in a compeletly different location.
Which the online back services allow you to do with ease.

monk
@rr.com

-1 recommendation

monk

Anon

Re: crap

maybe the end of the world
uid8
join:2007-08-03

uid8

Member

Non-standard and overpriced.

It appears that the Mozy / Comcast service requires a custom client. This client is available only on Microsoft and Apple platforms making it useless for Linux users. With modern tools such as rsync and unison to support differential updates it is difficult to understand why a company would choose to write yet another client, and then to make it less functional than the free tools that have been around for years.

Regarding the price 100 GB of storage can be had for $29.99 / year from GoDaddy [»www.godaddy.com/gdshop/e ··· ci=9022] which at least supports FTP, putting this offering well above the going rate for storage with crippled access.
fldiver
Premium Member
join:1999-12-27
Jacksonville, FL

1 recommendation

fldiver

Premium Member

Re: Non-standard and overpriced.

Somehow I expect most Linux users wouldn't be using this service anyway; at least I know I would not be
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