Comcast markets 2-Gbps Gigabit Pro in seven states

Better late than never, Comcast Corp. (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK) has officially put its 2-Gbps Gigabit Pro fiber-optic broadband service on offer in 37 markets across seven states. A new website states that customers in those markets will pay $299 a month for the service.

Comcast announced in April its intention to launch Gigabit Pro in Atlanta sometime in May (see "Comcast one ups Google Fiber, AT&T with 2-Gbps broadband in Atlanta"). However, the launch was put off until now for reasons never fully explained.

Nevertheless, Comcast is now taking orders for the service in the following markets:

• Florida: Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, West Palm Beach
• Georgia: Atlanta
• Illinois: Chicago
• Indiana: Anderson, Bloomington, Columbus, Elkhart, Fort Wayne, Gary, Hammond, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Lafayette, South Bend
• Michigan: Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Jackson, Lansing
• Tennessee: Chattanooga, Knoxville, Nashville
• California: Chico, Fresno, Marysville/Yuba City, Merced, Modesto, Monterey, Sacramento, Salinas, San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Barbara County, Stockton and Visalia metro areas
  

Comcast says it will offer the symmetrical 2-Gbps services to residential customers in these markets within a third of a mile of its fiber-optic network. Potential subscribers are urged to "call for specific availability" for the service, which will not be offered as a bundle with other Xfinity services such as voice or video.

The cable MVNO is giving itself plenty of leeway to ready the service for installation, informing potential customers that installation may take anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks or more. Customers can expect a $500 installation fee and an additional activation fee of up to $500 after they sign their 2-year service agreement.

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