Cableco Charter Widely Deploys 16mbps Internet Service

While Comcast Corp., Verizon Communications Inc. and AT&T Inc. have jockeyed to launch higher-speed Internet, Charter Communications Inc. has been quietly – and widely – rolling out a 16mbps service that matches or exceeds those of comrades and competitors.

Charter, which also serves businesses, now offers its MAX highest-speed Internet service throughout much of its service area in Georgia. Its previous fastest speed topped out at 10mbps downstream and is still available.

Also in the last few weeks, Charter unveiled its Charter High-Speed Internet MAX, available in most its regions in Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin. At about the same time, Comcast announced plans to double the downstream speed of its previously fastest Internet service to 16mbps.

Industry observers have said that much of the reason for the higher-speed Internet services from cablecos is driven by the success of Verizon’s 20/20 product, which supports maximum upload and download speeds of 20mbps.

The cost of offering higher-speed Internet varies, depending on network architecture for residential services. Charter has said that over the past year, it has invested more than a billion dollars in capital primarily to enhance its service capabilities.

From a pure price perspective, Charter aggressively is selling its triple-play bundle below Comcast and Verizon rates – both companies’ services start at roughly $99 a month for a year. As part of a promotion expected to end this month, Charter charges under $70 a month for its package of voice, MAX High-Speed Internet and TV. The company also throws in a $50 gift card. Plus, a Charter triple-play bundle with the lower-speed Internet can be had for less than $50 a month.

In Comcast’s recent 16mps Internet announcement, it said users go from what was its standard 8mbps offering to the 16mbps at no additional charge.

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