Comcast Entering Gigabit-Service Fray

The battle for high-speed Internet service dominance in the Kansas city region ratcheted up tody as Comcast announced it would launch service with speeds up to 1 Gigabit-per-second to residential customers throughout the its suburban service areas. That adds to a growing field of high-speed services that began in 2013 with Google Fiber, then AT&T, and recently, with Verizon introducing service with speeds just shy of that 1-gig mark.

In a news release announcing the new service, Comcast said its speeds would be among the fastest and most widely available in the region, and would include access to the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network of more than 17 million hotspots.

“With our 1 Gigabit service, customers across Comcast’s suburban Kansas City service area can take advantage of super-fast Internet speeds using the existing wiring in their home,” said J.D. Keller, regional vice president for Comcast. “Customers will be able to do all their favorite things—like streaming and gaming—even faster, with a network that has been doubling its capacity every 18 to 24 months to stay well ahead of consumer demand.”

Eileen Weir, mayor of Independence, hailed the announcement for its potential to expand the region’s reputation for high-speed access. “We’re very pleased Comcast is offering 1 Gigabit internet service to all Independence residents, as well as the rest of the company’s area footprint,” she said. “Our region has been at the forefront of technology for the past several years, and we’re excited about the prospects for an even brighter future with the kinds of investments being made by service providers like Comcast.” 

The company said it would price that service at $159.95, without a contract, with the possibility of a $70 monthly promotional price for a one-year service agreement.