AT&T said it will be expanding its fiber-based 1 Gbps version of U-verse to as many as 21 additional markets.
Just like Google with its rival 1 Gbps service, Google Fiber, AT&T will only expand to cities that ease the way for its 1 Gbps service, called GigaPower.
Late in 2012, AT&T announced a $14 billion, 3-year program to upgrade its networks; the company calls it Project VIP. The initial goal was at least triple broadband speeds for U-verse TV services from today’s typical 24 Mbps connection, and extend coverage to millions more customers. The scope of Project VIP has expanded to include 1 Gbps installations.
AT&T previously announced it would establish GigaPower service in parts of Austin (service has begun) and Dallas (service is scheduled to begin this summer), and that it is in discussions in Raleigh-Durham and Winston-Salem.
The new candidate metropolitan areas include: Atlanta, Augusta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale, Greensboro, Houston, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, Oakland, Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego, St. Louis, San Francisco, and San Jose.
Google has Google Fiber in Kansas City, and is negotiating with several others on that list for its own expansion.
AT&T said it will consider extending GigaPower to cities “that have suitable network facilities, and show the strongest investment cases based on anticipated demand and the most receptive policies will influence these future selections and coverage maps within selected areas.”
Lori Lee, senior executive vice president, AT&T Home Solutions, said, “We’re interested in working with communities that appreciate the value of the most advanced technologies and are willing to encourage investment by offering solid investment cases and policies.”
Proposed new markets for AT&T U-verse / GigaPower:
Metropolitan Area |
Municipalities |
Atlanta |
Alpharetta, Atlanta, Decatur, Duluth, Lawrenceville, Lithonia, McDonough, Marietta, Newnan, Norcross, and Woodstock |
Augusta |
Augusta |
Austin1 |
|
Charlotte |
Charlotte, Gastonia, and Huntersville |
Chicago |
Chicago, Des Plaines, Glenview, Lombard, Mount Prospect, Naperville, Park Ridge, Skokie, and Wheaton |
Cleveland |
Akron, Barberton, Bedford, Canton, Cleveland, and Massillon |
Dallas2 |
Dallas2, Farmer’s Branch, Frisco, Grand Prairie, Highland Park, Irving, Mesquite, Plano, Richardson, and University Park |
Fort Lauderdale |
Fort Lauderdale |
Fort Worth |
Arlington, Euless, Fort Worth, and Haltom City |
Greensboro |
Greensboro |
Jacksonville |
Jacksonville and St. Augustine |
Houston |
Galveston, Houston, Katy, Pasadena, Pearland, and Spring |
Kansas City |
Independence, Kansas City, Leawood, Overland Park, and Shawnee |
Los Angeles |
Los Angeles |
Miami |
Hialeah, Hollywood, Homestead, Miami, Opa-Locka and Pompano Beach |
Nashville |
Clarksville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Smyrna and Spring Hill |
Oakland |
Oakland |
Orlando |
Melbourne, Oviedo, Orlando, Palm Coast, Rockledge, and Sanford |
Raleigh-Durham2 |
Apex, Garner and Morrisville |
St. Louis and metro area |
Chesterfield, Edwardsville, Florissant, Granite City, and St. Louis |
San Antonio |
San Antonio |
San Diego |
San Diego |
San Francisco |
San Francisco |
San Jose |
Campbell, Cupertino, Mountain View, and San Jose |
Winston-Salem2 |
Winston-Salem2 |
1 already servicing with fiber today |
|
2 previously announced |