Given Qwest lacks the resources to deploy fiber to the home, and their recent ADSL2+ service only topped out at 896kbps upstream, they've been trying to argue that speed didn't matter and it's the broadband "experience" that counts. Last month, Qwest COO Tom Richards insisted that customers really didn't want faster speeds, and Qwest didn't want to get caught up in the "speed game." "What's important is the actual experience, and if they can discern the difference," proclaimed the COO.

Qwest CFO Joe Euteneuer agreed, telling investors recently that "speed is almost a non-issue for the consumer." Or not. As Erik Sherman notes, Qwest's tune changed substantially when they issued a press release promoting their new VDSL service, which we explored last week. The new service, assuming you can get it, can offer up to 40Mbps downstream and 20Mbps upstream. In promoting the launch, Qwest seems to forget they just got done telling us speed didn't matter:So in other words, those faster speeds you didn't want? You're supposed to want them now. Unfortunately for many Qwest customers, this service won't be an option, as Qwest lacks the funds to deploy it to the vast majority of its customers -- many of whom are still stuck at 1.5Mbps. For those who can get it, some forum users have signed up and are giving the new service a whirl, and early speeds seem as good as advertised.

As we noted, the new speeds cost $100 per month for 40Mbps/5Mbps, or $110 a month for 40Mbps/20Mbps. Both tiers require that you bundle local phone service. As for distance restrictions "the reach varies," Qwest spokesperson Monica Martinez tells us. "The average length of the VDSL2 technology is around 3,000 to 4,000 ft.," she notes, "while the 40 Mbps downstream and faster upstream speeds that VDSL2 delivers will reach a little less."