Cablevision Preps Network Bandwidth Boost

Taking aim at rivals in its region and specifically in major metro markets, Cablevision Systems Corp. (CVC) has upgraded its network to support higher access speeds using technology based on CableLabs Inc.’s DOCSIS 3.0 specification.

The speeds, which COO Tom Rutledge said could be available in a matter of months, would help the cable giant fend off high-speed 20 mbps symmetric and 50/20 mbps Internet access Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) has deployed in other markets as part of its FiOS bundle.

Rutledge did not provide a timeline, speeds or pricing for the higher speed services, nor did he say whether current consumer and business customers would be able to upgrade to higher-speeds without paying, as Comcast Corp. has done in the first markets where it has deployed DOCSIS 3.0-powered services.

DOCSIS 3.0 specifies how channels can be bonded to create a larger (bigger bandwidth) pipe with faster down- and up-links than cablecos can widely support today.

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