Comcast Cable has launched video-on-demand in the greater Salt Lake City area, as the MSO continues to put the finishing touches on a $350 million network upgrade there.

In Salt Lake, which uses Motorola Broadband set-tops, Comcast is deploying video servers from SeaChange International.

Comcast is offering a range of subscription VOD programming from HBO, Showtime, Starz!, Cinemax and The Movie Channel, as well as a menu of “free” on-demand programming from networks such as A&E, HGTV, NFL Network, Sundance Channel and CBS programs such as the CBS Evening News and 48 Hours.

Comcast also will be pushing a local on-demand programming package that includes KTVX News and Good Things Utah, KUTV News, University of Utah football and basketball from KJZZ, BYU TV and shows from KBYU.

The MSO said it has completed more than 8,600 miles of upgrades in Utah, including 2,000 miles of fiber optic cable.

The upgrades are well timed considering the competition Comcast will soon face from emerging fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) network providers. The UTOPIA project, for one, plans to connect fiber to about 170,000 homes and businesses in 14 cities. The City of Provo, meanwhile, has embarked on a $40 million FTTP project of its own.