Report: Gigabit Connections to Jump Ten Fold in 2016 Despite the endless hype surrounding gigabit deployments by Google Fiber, AT&T, Comcast, Cox and others, the actual number of consumers that can get these speeds remains relatively small. Many of these gigabit fiber deployments target only specific cities, or specific, high-end developments within specific cities. But with the new range of gigabit capable DOCSIS 3.1 modems now certified, 2016 is the year that we'll start seeing an explosion in gigabit speeds delivered over traditional coaxial cable.

As such, it's not too surprising to see research firm Deloitte predicting a ten fold bump in the number of gigabit connections this year. "The number of gigabit-per-second (Gbit/s) Internet connections will surge to 10 million by year-end, a tenfold increase of which about 70 percent will be residential connections," states the firm. "Rising demand will be fueled by increasing availability and falling prices." Your mileage on Deloitte's "falling prices" claim may vary depending on the market you live in and the level of local competition. Companies forced to compete with municipal broadband and Google Fiber will often hit the $70 price point, but as we've seen with providers like AT&T, that same gigabit connection can cost $120 or more in markets where there's no pricing pressure. And while gigabit connections continue to be a major media focus, many broadband consumers (unless they live in rural markets) are perfectly happy with the speeds they currently have, they'd just like to it offered at a lower price point, making price a more important conversation point than gigabit availability. And while gigabit connections continue to be a major media focus, many broadband consumers (unless they live in rural markets) are perfectly happy with the speeds they currently have, they'd just like to it offered at a lower price point, making price a more important conversation point than gigabit availability.







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Most recommended from 57 comments



camper

just visiting this planet

Premium Member

join:2010-03-21

Bethel, CT 7 recommendations camper Premium Member ... compete with municipal broadband and Google Fiber's ...$70 for gigabit

Yup. Comcast competes here at that $70 price point with a 25 megabit service.



It's Comcastpetition! tpkatl

join:2009-11-16

Dacula, GA 6 recommendations tpkatl Member Tenfold? Means very little. So in Atlanta, for example, the number of gigabit connections will go from 100 to 1000.



Whoopie!



The fact is that the gigabit areas in any city are so limited that any number looks good. Until gigabit is truly available over the entire footprint - not just three apartment buildings and a subdivision - these numbers are completely meaningless. pandora

Premium Member

join:2001-06-01

Outland 4 recommendations pandora Premium Member How does over subscription factor into this new super speed? I'm wondering if the infrastructure supporting gigabit connections will be improved to accommodate the new demand? smk11

join:2014-11-12 2 recommendations smk11 Member Actual confirmed, paying customers or just potential connections? "Tenfold increase in gigabit Internet is expected, 70 percent of which to come from residential connections. The number of gigabit-per-second (Gbit/s) Internet connections will surge to 10 million by year-end, a tenfold increase of which about 70 percent will be residential connections. Rising demand will be fueled by increasing availability and falling prices. It's anticipated that about 600 million subscribers may be on networks that offer a gigabit tariff as of 2020, representing the majority of connected homes in the world."



Sounds like "offer" and worldwide. Pretty terrible sounding.

bockbock

@hcs.net 2 recommendations bockbock Anon Price How about 100 Mbps for.. err.. $40-50/mo ? Or 50 Mbps for $40-45/mo? Or 30 Mbps for $30-40/mo ? Most people don't need Gigabit service, and at $70-110/mo, that is too high of a price tag for broadband internet service.