Comcast Announces Gigabit Internet Service Coming to Seattle

Super-Fast 1 Gig Service Available in Early 2017
Using the Network Connections Already in Most Customers’ Homes

 SEATTLE, WA – November 1, 2016 – Comcast today announced it will start offering a residential gigabit internet service to local customers in Seattle in early 2017. The company will deliver these super-fast speeds with DOCSIS 3.1 technology, which uses the existing wiring that most people already have in their homes.  .

“We are excited to offer a new 1 Gig Internet service in the Seattle metro area as a reflection of our commitment to deliver the fastest speeds to the most homes,” said Kyle McSlarrow, Regional Senior Vice President for Comcast in Washington.

“We have made significant technology and network deployments, which will allow us to deliver some of the fastest Internet speeds without our having to tear up streets or rewire a customer’s home. Together with other technology and network deployments since 2010, we will have invested $1 billion in Washington to upgrade our reliability and capacity, deploy new gigabit services and reach new residential and business customers.”

Comcast currently offers Gigabit Pro in Seattle, a 2 Gigabit, fiber-based product that requires a professional installation and equipment, and is designed for the most advanced digital homes.  The company’s new 1 Gig service will use existing communications lines that are already in most people’s homes.  As a result, it has the potential to reach more homes even faster and allows for broad deployment across communities.  To enjoy the service, all customers will need to do is install a new DOCSIS 3.1 compatible cable modem that is capable of delivering gigabit speeds.

In the past 15 years, Comcast has increased internet speeds 17 times.  The company also nearly doubles the capacity of its network every 18 – 24 months.

“Through the years, my colleagues on the Seattle City Council and I have pursued policies that promote investment, competition, and technological innovation.  With today’s news, I am excited to see that one of our Internet providers, Comcast, will soon provide gigabit service throughout their service area in the City of Seattle,” said Council President Bruce Harrell. “Having access to one gigabit service will greatly benefit start-ups, businesses, and residents running a business from home. Gigabit speeds will help maintain our global competitiveness as a high-tech city and will provide our consumers with more choices.”