Of the 26,000 new connections, Astound said more than 2,000 homes were in predominantly rural areas without previous access to broadband.

The Astound Price for Life offer features 1 Gbps service, no contract or equipment fees, and a promotional $200 gift card.

Astound Broadband offers $30 per month internet including $10 savings with autopay/paperless billing and a one-year price lock.

Astound Broadband is the latest cableco to share network upgrade plans and will use Harmonic equipment that can support DOCSIS 4.0 or fiber.

The Astound 5 Gig launch follows several other providers such as AT&T, Google Fiber, Wyyerd Fiber and Shentel.

Astound’s ACP replacement service, dubbed Internet First, is free for three months. The company also offers a free mobile line for a year.
