AT&T to launch 1-Gbps FTTH in Austin

Following up on a statement made when Google Fiber announced its intention to provide gigabit services in Austin, TX (see “AT&T: We’ll do 1 Gbps in Austin too – maybe”), AT&T (NYSE:T) says it will build a fiber to the home (FTTH) network in Austin on which it will offer 1-Gbps services under the GigaPower brand next year.

AT&T says its U-verse with GigaPower service will be available to “tens of thousands of customer locations” in Austin and surrounding areas by the end of this year; further deployments will ensue next year, the company says. However, AT&T’s top speeds initially will be 300 Mbps symmetrical; the 1-Gbps services will not be available until 2014. Those who sign up for the 300-Mbps services will be upgraded to 1 Gbps at no charge, AT&T says.

Borrowing an idea from Google, AT&T will prioritize its deployments based on customer demand determined by a voting process. Potential customers can signal their interest in receiving the new services by accessing a webpage at www.att.com/austinfiber and signing up to receive promotional information about the upcoming service. The service provider has not yet announced how much it will charge for the high-speed services.

"Austin embodies innovation and social consciousness, and is the heart of a vibrant, ever-evolving tech culture and entrepreneurial spirit," said Dave Nichols, president - AT&T Texas. "With our all-fiber U-verse services, we are building the foundation for a new wave of innovation for Austin's consumers, businesses, and civic and educational institutions. It's about engaging the full community and empowering the city and its people with all that technology can offer us. This investment will help attract new business and new jobs to Austin."

AT&T also has named Dahna Hull to the role of vice president and general manager, Austin, AT&T Services Inc. to lead its GigaPower initiative.

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