He explained that the problem with cable (any cable, not just comcast) is that it needs lots of repeaters, while fiber does not.
Technologically, this could be anybody's FiOS, or anybody's Cable.. I realize FiOS is more of a trade name, but the general design of 'fiber to the last mile' is being adopted by others too. Fairpoint I believe is also using the FiOS moniker due to deals w/Verizon. So IMO it's more about the two technologies and why one's superior in this situation.
FiOS isn't fiber to the last mile, it's fiber to the home, which is a huge difference. AT&T U-verse is fiber to the last mile and copper the rest of the way and it has nowhere near the same speed.