Adding fuel to the broadband speed fire, Charter Communications Inc. (CHTR) today launched a 60 mbps Internet service in St. Louis, which it claims is the fastest Internet service available, and promised to soon offer a 20 mbps service nationwide.
The Charter High-Speed Internet Ultra60 is powered by DOCSIS 3.0 channel-bonding technology and will pit the cableco against archrival AT&T Inc.’s (T) U-verse Internet, which offers a much slower service, in this metro market.
Charter’s Ultra60 my have the fastest downstream speed, but it doesn’t have the fastest upstream speed at only 5 mbps. Carriers like Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) offer symmetrical 50 and 20 mbps Internet access services. Comcast Corp. (CMCSA) announced deployment of an asymmetric 50 mbps service, also powered by DOCSIS 3.0, late last year.
Ultra60 costs $129.99 bundled and $139.99 as a standalone service, according to Charter.
Further, current users of Charter’s 16 mbps Internet service will be automatically upgraded to 20 mbps, free of charge, according to the cableco.
“Not only are we delivering the fastest speed today, but our infrastructure has the capacity to support even higher speeds as demand and usage grow,” said Charter chief marketing officer Ted Schremp, in prepared comments. “Charter’s ability to provide increasingly greater bandwidth is critical to our customers’ use and enjoyment of the Internet and delivers greater value. It also highlights our growing superiority over DSL service.”
Charter High-Speed Internet Ultra60 comes with Charter Security Suite, free, for PC protection. The company also offers enhancements including wireless home networking.
Charter, which is carrying significant debt, last month announced it has asked an advisor to explore opportunities for “financial flexibility.”
