Comcast plans on bringing multi-gig web speeds to 34 cities throughout the US by the top of this 12 months, and can later increase its attain to greater than 50 million households by the top of 2025. In line with a press launch, the corporate has already began rolling out 2-gig speeds over its broadband community in Colorado Springs, CO; Augusta, GA; Panama Metropolis Seashore, FL; and Philadelphia, PA.
Clients in these cities may even get to reap the benefits of add speeds that Comcast says are 5 to 10 occasions quicker than what it at present provides. The add speeds seem to max out at 200Mbps, even with the brand new Gigabit x2 plan, however Comcast intends to vary that. It’s launching multi-gig symmetrical speeds subsequent 12 months, which can allow multi-gig speeds for each downloads and uploads.
Whereas symmetrical uploads and downloads are anticipated with fiber optic web, cable has lagged behind. However with DOCSIS 4.0, a high-bandwidth broadband customary that permits for as much as 10Gbps downloads and 6Gbps uploads, suppliers like Comcast can allow symmetrical connections over cable. Comcast is at present within the means of transitioning to the brand new customary and achieved 4Gbps add and obtain speeds throughout a check in January.
Regardless that firms like AT&T, Frontier, Verizon, and Google are increasing their fiber networks, the service remains to be largely restricted to customers situated in metro areas. Symmetrical speeds on cable networks could possibly be a welcome choice for these in want of a speedier connection, however who aren’t in areas the place fiber is obtainable.
For now, prospects situated in Colorado Springs, Augusta, Panama Metropolis Seashore, and Philadelphia, gained’t should improve their modem to entry Comcast’s quicker (however not symmetrical) 2-gig speeds. Comcast Cable EVP Elad Nafshi instructed Fierce Telecom that after Comcast does roll out its symmetrical companies subsequent 12 months, prospects might want to improve their modem.
Disclosure: Comcast is an investor in Vox Media, The Verge’s guardian firm.