Fiber-based 2 Gbps service reaches 18 million Comcast customers; DOCSIS 3.1 extending utility of copper plant
Cable and Internet giant Comcast this week announced a major expansion to its high-speed cable Internet offering, which uses the new DOCSIS 3.1 standard, as well as noted a major milestone in deployment of its 2 gigabit-per-second fiber-based Internet service offering.
DOCSIS 3.1 is the latest evolution in data over cable service interface specification and could be a game changer for the Internet and TV industry, providing multi-gigabit Internet speeds and interoperability among modem manufacturers and service providers. Many believe the new international telecommunications standard is the first step toward bringing data-hungry technologies such as augmented reality, ultra-high definition 4K television, tele-existence, medical imaging and advanced gaming systems to cable customers. Learn all about DOCSIS 3.1 here.
The Philadelphia-based company initially trialled DOCSIS 3.1 modems in its home market, followed by a test in Atlanta. The service is set to expand to residential and business customers in Atlanta and Nashville, Tennessee, “in early 2016,” followed by Chicago, Detroit and Miami “in the second half of the year.”
DOCSIS 3.1 is also expected to be a tremendous capital expense boon to service providers that have extensive copper assets as it allows copper to achieve throughput generally associated with much more expensive fiber optic cable deployments.
“We’re constantly working to ensure that our customers get the fastest speeds available and that they get them first,” explained Bill Connors, president of Comcast’s Central Division. “DOCSIS 3.1 represents a tremendous step forward in our commitment to keeping customers at the technology forefront. Combined with all the upgrades we have already put into our advanced fiber optic-coax network, this technology will not only provide more gigabit speed choices for customers, it will also eventually make these ultra-fast speeds available to the most homes in our service areas.”
On the fiber side, Comcast offers speeds of 1 Gbps and 2 Gbps under the name brand Gigabit Pro. The company said the service, launched in 2015, is available to 18 million customers. The initial rollout of the Gigabit Pro service was in the Atlanta metro area. Chicago, Detroit, Miami and Nashville soon followed.
