Hotlanta indeed. The Georgia capital can’t complain that it’s suffering from a lack of speedy Internet choices with both AT&T and Google already having made 1 Gbps moves there. And yesterday, Comcast announced it is beginning its advanced Gigabit Internet service trial to early adopters in a number of neighborhoods in Atlanta.
Comcast reports that consumers selected for the trial will be among the first to experience DOCSIS 3.1 technology. “The capabilities of DOCSIS 3.1 are incredibly exciting, and we are the first to market with a Gigabit offering that runs over our existing cable infrastructure,” Comcast Central Division President Bill Connors, says.
Initial customers in Atlanta will have the choice of a promotional contract price of $70 per month for 36 months, or no contract at $140. After the trial, Comcast plans to roll Gigabit service out at additional price points in other markets to gauge consumer interest.
Last month, Comcast announced its intent to offer Gigabit Internet service in Atlanta and Nashville, with Chicago, Detroit and Miami to follow in the second half of the year. Comcast installed its first DOCSIS 3.1 modem in Philadelphia in December 2015, and one was installed in Atlanta a few days later.