Altice USA (NYSE:ATUS) says it has begun to offer its Altice Gigabit symmetrical gigabit broadband service in parts of Long Island. The company will deliver the service via fiber-to-the-home (FTTH). The launch is part of the cable MSOs FTTH initiative, which has seen it embrace full fiber-optic access networks (see “Altice USA to light up 1 million homes in FTTH network ”).
The Altice Gigabit fiber service leverages the company’s fiber Gateway, which it asserts is the first combined gigabit-optics router and smart WiFi device available in the U.S. from a cable network operator. Customers will be able to access streaming 4K ultra-high-definition (UHD) and high-definition (HD) video, as well as other online services, on multiple devices, Altice USA states. This capability comes in part via the Gateway’s smart WiFi features, which include simultaneous dual-band WiFi that automatically switches frequencies based on the bandwidth and range needs of the device in use. Altice USA also offers WiFi extenders that can create a mesh network for increased coverage as well as the ability for customers to manage the home WiFi experience via an app.
"Altice USA is focused on offering the best network and connectivity experience, and the activation of our full-fiber network with smart WiFi, the most advanced of its kind in the nation, demonstrates our commitment to creating converged customer experiences,” said Hakim Boubazine, Altice USA co-president and COO. “Delivering our symmetrical Altice Gigabit fiber service is just the start as we continue to scale our fiber network to bring our customers up to 10 gigabit internet speeds to support the explosive growth of data usage while laying the groundwork for the future of the connected universe.”
The cable MSO says it plans to offer FTTH-enabled gigabit broadband in other parts of Long Island and its New York serving area in the future. Meanwhile, the company says it plans to improve the offerings available via its existing hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) network in the Optimum service area as well. HFC-fed customers in that footprint currently can receive broadband speeds of up to 400 Mbps, but Altice USA says that it plans to launch a gigabit service and smart WiFi capabilities over that HFC plant next year.
Altice USA recently spun out of European broadband services provider Altice NV. (Note that our earlier statement that it is the U.S. arm of Altice NV was out of date.) Altice USA formed via the acquisition of Cablevision and Suddenlink (see “Altice completes Cablevision buy, forms Altice USA, shuffles management”).
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Stephen Hardy
Editorial Director and Associate Publisher
Stephen Hardy has covered fiber optics for more than 15 years, and communications and technology for more than 30 years. He is responsible for establishing and executing Lightwave's editorial strategy across its digital magazine, website, newsletters, research and other information products. He has won multiple awards for his writing.
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