Comcast adds more Gig service in 'Gig City'

February 20, 2017 at 11:33 p.m. | Updated February 20, 2017 at 11:33 p.m.

by Dave Flessner

FILE - In this Sept. 17, 2015, file photo, Comcast trucks are parked in a lot in the company's Westford, Mass. operations center. Government regulators have fined Comcast $2.3 million, saying the cable giant has charged customers for stuff they never ordered, like premium channels or extra cable boxes. The Federal Communications Commission says the Philadelphia company must clearly ask customers before charging them for new services or equipment and make it easier for customers to fight charges they think are wrong. The company said in a statement, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016, that it’s been working to improve customer service and that the problems uncovered by the FCC stemmed from “isolated errors or customer confusion” rather than Comcast intentionally mischarging customers. (AP Photo/Tali Arbel, File)
FILE - In this Sept. 17, 2015, file photo, Comcast trucks are parked in a lot in the company's Westford, Mass. operations center. Government regulators have fined Comcast $2.3 million, saying the cable giant has charged customers for stuff they never ordered, like premium channels or extra cable boxes. The Federal Communications Commission says the Philadelphia company must clearly ask customers before charging them for new services or equipment and make it easier for customers to fight charges they think are wrong. The company said in a statement, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016, that it’s been working to improve customer service and that the problems uncovered by the FCC stemmed from “isolated errors or customer confusion” rather than Comcast intentionally mischarging customers. (AP Photo/Tali Arbel, File)

Comcast is adding more gig to Gig City.

The cable giant announced Monday it plans to begin offering gigabit internet service to residential and business customers in Chattanooga this year using existing wiring with its new modem technology.

Comcast added fiber wiring for up to 10 gigabit-per-second internet service for businesses in 2015 and launched its 2-gig fiber-to-the-home last year in Chattanooga. But those services require fiber connections with additional installation fees.

"This is new for both residences and businesses in Chattanooga," Comcast spokeswoman Sara Jo Walker said of the latest Comcast offer. "Last year, we launched 2-gig [fiber to the home] services, but this new modem technology eliminates the need for fiber installation to the home."

Comcast will deliver the super-fast speeds with DOCSIS 3.1 technology, which uses the existing wiring most people already have in their homes and offices. To receive the new Comcast service, all customers will need to do is install the new compatible cable modem capable of delivering gigabit speeds.

"Over the last two years in Chattanooga, Comcast has deployed an advanced 10 gigabit network to businesses, launched a 2 gigabit residential internet service, and added to our over 10,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across the marketplace," Comcast Regional Senior Vice President Doug Guthrie said in a statement Monday. "Today's announcement delivers a 1 gigabit internet service to Chattanooga's residential and business community using some of the latest, most advanced technology available."

Comcast has yet to announce the pricing for the new service.

EPB, the city-owned utility, which provides fiber-to-the-home connections throughout its service territory, charges $69.99 a month for residential gig service.

With a 1 gigabit connection, residential 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 a 15 Gigabyte video game in two minutes.

"We appreciate Comcast choosing our city as an early adopter for DOCSIS technology that will serve our residents and businesses," Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke said in a statement. "Their decision to invest in Chattanooga is a testament to our reputation as leaders in the next-generation economy."

Comcast also is offering its DOCSIS 3.1 technology in Atlanta, Nashville, Chicago and Detroit.

Contact Dave Flessner at dflessner@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6340.

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