— Time Warner Cable customers are about to get a boost in their Internet speeds. It's part of a system-wide upgrade rolling out this year called TWC Maxx.

“We will be bringing an all-digital lineup, which will improve the video and sound quality,” said TWC public relations manager Scott Pryzwansky.

If your TV plugs directly into a wall, you'll need a digital adapter box. But most customers won't need to do anything. The other big part of the upgrade is an across-the-board boost in Internet speeds for all customers in the Triangle.

“We mean three- to six-times faster Internet speeds, up to 300 megabits per second for some customers as well,” Pryzwansky said.

Time Warner says those new speeds will not increase your bills. Time Warner's upgrade comes as a big, new player prepares to enter the broadband market. Google Fiber announced in January that it's bringing its fiber-optic high-speed service to some Triangle communities.

Raleigh tech blogger and broadband advocate Mark Turner says he's already seeing other companies responding to the new competition.

“North Carolina is no longer going to be a broadband backwater,” he said. “I got a deal last week from one of the legacy providers offering Internet and video that was, like, half the price of what they normally offer.”

He hopes it means better service and lower prices in the future.

“It has definitely shaken up the market. It's good for everybody,” Turner said.

Time Warner says it made upgrade plans well before Google Fiber's announcement. The company says it will roll out its higher Internet speeds through the end of the year.

If you need to order a free digital adapter, you can do it on the phone, online or at a Time Warner office until June 30, 2016. The order must be placed by Oct. 29, 2015. After that, the adapters will be billed at $2.75 a month.