Looking to expand its business nationwide, Phoenix-based Cable One on November 5 announced that come 2016 its gigabit speed GigaONE service will be available in more than 200 cities and towns across the U.S. In a press release, management says GigaONE will be available to the majority of Cable One customers by the end of 2016.
Cable One has invested more than $500 million over the past five years to enhance and upgrade their fiber network and digital cable services infrastructure and services platform. As a result, it’s now capable of delivering a full spectrum of digital content and services at gigabit speed, management touts. At present, Cable One gigabit services are available to select business customers. They intend to expand Cable One gigabit services to include residential customers using its hybrid fiber-coax network in 2016’s first quarter.
Cable One Gigabit
“Cable ONE will be the first provider in the majority of our markets to offer gigabit speeds to residential customers,” Cable ONE VP of marketing Joe Felbab stated. “Unlike many of our competitors, gigabit service will be available to all of our customers – not just a select few in certain areas. We’ve been committed for decades to serving smaller cities and towns, and we are delighted to provide them with the latest technology to make them Gig cities in 2016.”
Covering the mid- and southwest, Cable One’s network has expanded to include northwestern states, and will bring gigabit services to those cities as well.
Cable One is leveraging their gigabit plans for some high-profile political capital. Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter views availability of GigaONE as the first step in Idaho becoming a ¨Gig¨ state.
“I’m pleased by Cable ONE’s commitment to faster broadband connections for its Idaho residential customers. I’m also hopeful that the GigaONE program will provide a marketplace incentive for other Internet service providers to help make all of Idaho a Gig state.”
Texas State Representative Brooks Landgraf has the same view. “Our world is changing more rapidly than ever and the advantage that our schools, first responders, and businesses will have with gigabit high-speed Internet service is important to educate the great minds of the next generation, ensure public safety, and continue to grow our local economy,” he was quoted as saying.
“I look forward to seeing the benefits of this technology across the Permian Basin to ensure that our region remains the best place to live, work, and raise a family.”
Cable One joins a growing list of cable MSOs who are aggressively pushing into the gigabit space to compete with telcos and a growing amount of municipals who are building FTTP networks. DOCSIS 3.1 is empowering cable companies to offer gigabit speeds, while others are relying on FTTP, and even DOCSIS 3.0, as well.
