An announced Comcast DOCSIS 3.1 roadmap will add competitive gigabit services to many markets. Gigabit broadband capability via DOCSIS 3.1 technology is coming to Atlanta and Nashville in early 2016, with Chicago, Detroit, and Miami coming later in the year Comcast announced today.
“We’re constantly working to ensure that our customers get the fastest speeds available, and that they get them first,” said Comcast Central Division President, Bill Connors in a press release. “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.”
Comcast DOCSIS 3.1 Roadmap
Both Atlanta and Nashville are on Alphabet’s (Google’s new parent company name) Google Fiber roadmap, and also already feature AT&T’s Gigapower, creating a roadmap for 3 (or more) competing gigabit providers in parts of those markets. Comcast already launched Gigabit service in many of these announced markets through their Gigabit Pro service, a FTTH offer. But that service is very limited in availability, very expensive (up to a $1,000 installation fee), and not Comcast’s true competitive gigabit offer.
Gigabit via DOCSIS 3.1 will become Comcast’s ultra-broadband workhorse, and I would assume it will be more competitively priced than the $300/month Gigabit Pro service. Comcast just recently announced its first successful DOCSIS 3.1 trial in Philadelphia.
The introduction of DOCSIS 3.1 based gigabit services should greatly accelerate gigabit adoption and competitive broadband implications. Although cable MSOs are a tad late to the gigabit party, they will be able to leapfrog their fiber based gigabit competitors, who have to overbuild markets with FTTH. It’s taking Google at least two years to be fully engaged in their Google Fiber markets.
Comcast and other MSOs just need to upgrade electronics and use the same network that’s already in place. A significant competitive advantage. This announced Comcast DOCSIS 3.1 roadmap will surely grow, as Comcast says it eventually intends to offer DOCSIS 3.1 powered gigabit services to its entire footprint.
