AT&T to launch GigaPower in suburbs

AT&T's U-verse GigaPower will allow subscribers to download even faster, the company says. COURTESY OF AT&T

AT&T says its GigaPower service, launching today in some suburbs, will allow subscribers to download 25 songs in less than 1 second or download a high-definition movie in less than 36 seconds. Associated Press

AT&T, which has its Midwest headquarters in Hoffman Estates, said Monday it has launched its U-verse GigaPower in parts of Elgin, Oswego, Plainfield, Skokie, Yorkville and elsewhere. Chicago is expected to get the ultrahigh-speed service later, the company said.

The GigaPower service allows subscribers to download 25 songs in less than one second or download a high-definition movie in less than 36 seconds, the company said.

Competitor Google Fiber has not yet been rolled out in the Chicago area.

AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazza said the new service will "help encourage economic growth" by allowing for more innovation across numerous job sectors. An AT&T executive was unavailable to comment further.

The new service will cost consumers, though, with plans ranging from $90 to $180 a month, depending on the package.

The Internet speeds are up to 1 gigabit per second, the company said.

Customers would be able to get faster Wi-Fi speeds using an upgraded residential gateway. The new gateway would connect more devices with faster speeds, the company said.

Customers who subscribe to U-verse with AT&T GigaPower could watch and record up to five HD programs at the same time, the company said. They also could record and store up to 330 hours of HD programming.