Comcast 50Mbps data hits 20% coverage
updated 02:40 pm EST, Thu December 11, 2008
Comcast 50Mbps at 20pc
Comcast today said that its DOCSIS 3 Internet access has reached about 20 percent of its coverage areas in less than a year through expansion into three new areas. Subscribers in particular areas of Atlanta, Balitmore and Chicago now have the option of using the faster, channel-bonded access with either a 50Mbps Extreme tier with 10Mbps uploads or an in-between 22Mbps Ultra tier with 5Mbps upstream.
As with the first wave of expansions, existing subscribers will also have their bandwidth roughly doubled for free, jumping from 6Mbps and 8Mbps downstream to 12Mbps and 16Mbps respectively. Both upload at about 2Mbps. All of the different speed options carry the same 250GB hard transfer cap.
Reaching the 20 percent mark matches a goal Comcast had set for itself on the launch of DOCSIS 3, which should reach the majority of its users by the end of 2009. The upgrades are largely considered essential both to cope with the added strain of HD video online as well as to compete against Verizon's fiber-optic FIOS service, which also peaks at 50Mbps. [via BBR]
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2002
Slow uploads...
Be aware that Comcast has really limited upload speeds. What used to be marketed as an 8 Mbps download/2 Mbps upload package now has its upload speed capped at 768 kbps -- noticeably slower than the typical DSL 896 kbps upload speed.