Comcast will install Wi-Fi gear, configure a router, and rent it to their customers with new program: Comcast Home Networking includes the delivery and installation of Wi-Fi networking for a setup fee and $5 per month (covering the router and one PC Card). Setup costs $200 for two computers up to $300 for five computers, the maximum covered by this deal. A current discount program chops $100 off that price until June 1. The terms and pricing don't explain the rental fee for the second through fifth computers' hardware, referring to a "rate card" that isn't on the Web site.

The installation includes configuring and setting a WEP encryption key for the network, a task which with certain equipment can cause grown men and women to weep. There's definitely a place for a service in which the equipment is covered against defects. The site for the program doesn't note this, but Comcast's overarching subscriber terms says, During the term of this Agreement, Comcast will repair and maintain all Comcast Equipment and you agree that the Comcast Equipment will not be serviced by anyone other than Comcast employees or agents.

Part of the press release noted that this package, offered as $52.95 per month excluding the rental fees and install fees, has up to 4 Mbps download speeds and 384 Kbps upload speeds. The basic package is $42.95 per month for 3 Mbps down and 256Kbps up. These prices require a Comcast cable subscription; it's $10 extra per month without such a subscription. (Macintosh users aren't covered yet, but Comcast is rolling this out actively region by region, according to email from a Comcast spokesperson.)

Qwest DSL's comparable service is $39.99/month for 1.5 Mbps down, 896 Kbps up (with Qwest phone service). Qwest also offers a wireless option with less support and no installation but without the rental cost: you just buy an Actiontec device with 802.11g and DSL modem support built in.