CHICAGO, Aug. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Comcast
launched the Chicago area trial of
a new Internet service today that delivers speeds up to 1
Gigabit-per second (Gbps) to customers. The service will use
DOCSIS 3.1 technology to deliver these speeds over the company's
existing network infrastructure.
With a 1 Gbps connection, customers can:
- Download a 5 Gigabyte HD movie in 40
seconds;
- Download a 600 Megabyte TV episode in four seconds;
- Download a 150 Megabyte music album in two seconds; and
- Download 15 Gigabyte video game in two minutes.
"We're delivering gigabit speeds over the network that already
passes millions of homes in the Chicago area," said Comcast Greater Chicago
Region senior vice president John
Crowley. "Our commitment to providing customers with a
great experience is front and center with this announcement, and
we're proud that Comcast's Chicago
area customers will be among the first in the world to have access
to this new Gigabit technology."
The consumer introduction of DOCSIS 3.1
marks a major step forward in the evolution of
ultra-high-speed broadband. Once DOCSIS 3.1 Gigabit Internet
service is available in a market, customers with Gigabit-capable
devices will be able to sign up for a new plan and then experience
the benefits of that speed.
"Comcast's investments in our technology infrastructure have
helped to advance and evolve our economy, and I applaud their
commitment to the technology ecosystem," said Fred Hoch, CEO, Illinois Technology
Association. "DOCSIS 3.1 is a significant step forward in
Internet Technology."
Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President and CEO
Omar Duque added, "We thank Comcast
for deploying the new service here early on and delivering Gigabit
speeds to neighborhoods and communities across the city and across
the region."
In February 2016, Comcast unveiled
plans to offer the service in Atlanta and Nashville in the first half of the year, with
Chicago, Detroit and Miami to follow in the second half. In
December 2015, Comcast announced it
had successfully installed its first DOCSIS 3.1 modem in
Philadelphia. The modem also was tested in several
Chicago area locations to ensure
the best possible customer experience before launching the service
locally.
In 2015, Comcast launched its residential, fiber-based,
multi-Gigabit service – Gigabit Pro – with symmetrical 2 Gbps
speeds. Gigabit Pro is now available to 18 million homes
across the country and about 2.4 million homes in Comcast's Greater
Chicago Region, which includes Illinois, Northwest
Indiana and Southwest
Michigan.
The every-day price of the new service with no contract is
$139.95 plus taxes and fees.
Comcast will test promotional pricing during the trial
period. New and current Chicago area customers can visit
Xfinity.com/gig to learn about the new service and request
additional information. As part of the trial, initial users
will be encouraged to provide feedback about the service to
Comcast, which will be used to help ensure future market rollouts
deliver the best possible customer experience.
About Comcast Cable
Comcast Cable is one of the nation's largest video, high-speed
Internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the
XFINITY brand and also provides these services to businesses.
Comcast has invested in technology to build an advanced network
that delivers among the fastest broadband speeds, and brings
customers personalized video, communications, and home management
offerings. Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global
media and technology company. Visit
www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
With nearly 7,000 local employees, Comcast's Greater Chicago
Region (www.comcastgcr.com) serves customers in central and
northern Illinois, including the
Chicago area, northwest
Indiana and southwest
Michigan. "Like" Comcast's Greater Chicago Region on Facebook
by visiting Comcast of Illinois, NW Indiana and SW
Michigan. "Follow" Comcast's Greater Chicago Region on
Twitter at @ComcastIllinois.
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SOURCE Comcast Cable