Austin, which already is known for its vibrant music scene and top-shelf barbeque joints, is becoming a Mecca for all-fiber networks.
This morning AT&T announced it had begun deployment of its all-fiber network in Austin, which will start with the launch of a symmetrical 300 Mbps service in December. AT&T’s “U-verse GigaPower” tier will reach the 1 Gbps threshold sometime next year and will go head-to-head with Google Fiber’s 1 Gbps service that is also slated to launch next year.
AT&T said its GigaPower service would initially be “available in tens of thousands customer locations throughout Austin.” Like Google’s strategy with its fiber rollouts, AT&T is allowing consumers and business owner to vote on where the service should initially be deployed in Austin.
AT&T subscribers who sign on for the 300 Mbps service will be automatically upgraded to the 1 Gig service when it becomes available.
“Austin embodies innovation and social consciousness, and is the heart of a vibrant, ever-evolving tech culture and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Dave Nichols, president – AT&T Texas. “With our all-fiber U-verse services, we are building the foundation for a new wave of innovation for Austin’s consumers, businesses, and civic and educational institutions. It’s about engaging the full community and empowering the city and its people with all that technology can offer us. This investment will help attract new business and new jobs to Austin.”
In addition the 300 Mbps speed, AT&T said more advanced TV services and features, such as more HD streams and more DVR storage capacity, will also be available starting in December.
AT&T also announced the creation of a new executive position to lead its GigaPowerproject and named Dahna Hull to the role – vice president and general manager, Austin, AT&T Services Inc.
Time Warner Cable’s fasted residential service in Austin is 50 Mbps, and it offers up to 10 Gigabits for businesses via its dedicated fiber services. In order to counter Google Fiber, Time Warner Cable started offering its free Wi-Fi service to its Austin subscribers earlier this year.
