SureWest Communications announced free speed upgrades for its commercial Internet customers in the Kansas City market who are served over its HFC network. The speed increases were made possible due to a DOCSIS 3.0 network upgrade. In addition to providing free speed upgrades for most HFC business customers, SureWest is now able to offer Internet packages of up to 25 and 50 Mbps to customers who are not solely on fiber.Speed upgrades for existing customers happened automatically as of Dec. 1. Actual speed upgrades vary depending on the customer's current service package. For example, customers with up to 10 Mbps packages were upgraded to packages offering up to 15 Mbps at no additional charge. Most customers will not require any new equipment, but those who subscribe to speed packages of 15 Mbps or higher may require a new modem, which will be provided free of charge.