U.S. cable MSO Cox Communications said May 22 that it plans to offer 1-Gbps download speeds in Phoenix, AZ, Las Vegas, NV, and Omaha, NE. The high-speed broadband service would begin to be available in at least some neighborhoods within the three cities by the end of 2016, Cox said.
Cox said that in addition to neighborhoods, the 1-Gbps service would be offered to residents of “select new condominiums and apartments” in the three markets.
CenturyLink is already offering 1-Gbps services in parts of Las Vegas and Omaha using fiber to the home (FTTH) technology (see “CenturyLink targets Omaha for 1-Gbps FTTP network pilot” and “CenturyLink adds Las Vegas to 1 Gbps FTTP pilot”). Cox isn’t saying how it plans to match such speeds, according to Todd C. Smith, director, media relations at the company. Industry sources suggest that DOCSIS 3.0 is unlikely, but the upcoming DOCSIS 3.1 technology would accommodate 1 Gbps comfortably – assuming the necessary equipment is available and vetted in time to meet Cox’s deployment target. FTTH would be an option as well. Smith said Cox turned up its first FTTH network, in Orange County, last fall.
"We are excited about our road map to offer gigabit speeds to all of our residential customers," said Cox Communications President Pat Esser in a press release. "Starting today, we will begin deploying new technology and infrastructure that will give customers the choice of gigabit speeds in all markets we serve."
In addition to the fixed-line services, Cox said it also plans to offer Wi-Fi service to the Phoenix metropolitan area and to greater Las Vegas. Cox had already launched Wi-Fi in Omaha.
Meanwhile, Cox also announced it will boost the download speeds on two of its most popular service tiers across the country this year. Cox High Speed Internet Preferred speeds will increase from 25 Mbps to 50 Mbps. Cox High Speed Internet Premier will jump from 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps. More than 70% of Cox's high-speed Internet customers subscribe to one of these two service packages.
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher
Stephen Hardy has covered fiber optics for more than 15 years, and communications and technology for more than 30 years. He is responsible for establishing and executing Lightwave's editorial strategy across its digital magazine, website, newsletters, research and other information products. He has won multiple awards for his writing.
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