Comcast announced its rollout of gigabit internet service in Chicago's metropolitan area which is a segment in the multiple cities trial period. The telecom company already has an ongoing gigabit internet service test in Atlanta and Nashville which started earlier this year.
Comcast is going to provide 1 Gigabit per second speeds by depending on DOCSIS 3.1, which is a modern criterion for data transmission through traditional coaxial cable lines. There are some instances that it is even quicker than fiber optic cables. This saves Comcast time and effort since there is no need to establish new wires or redo any other phase of its current infrastructure, The Verge reported.
Sadly, the service is a bit pricey. For a month with no contract, it cost $140 with extra taxes and fees not yet included. But in Atlanta and Nashville, the cost of the service is only $70 per month for a three-year contract. The service cost is half the price offered in Chicago since rivalry for fiber internet is relatively high. With Chicago customers, there is no contract attached.
"As these are advanced consumer trials, we are testing different prices and promotions in different markets," according to Comcast statement as informed to Consumerist.
Comcast announced in February that it will launch its next-generation in multiple cities. Atlanta and Nashville were the two cities to take advantage of the high-speed option for $70 a month.
Such competition cannot be avoided since Atlanta is scheduled to be provided by AT&Ts gigabit internet services and Nashville has the Google Fiber already. Comcast cites its three-year promotion as a strategy to keep their customers. AT&T offers $90 per month of the gigabit service in Chicago.
With Comcast offering $140 per month to Chicago residents, AT&T is at $90 per month only. Comcast needs to think twice if they need to lower the rate to gain customers.
