Comcast is now offering gigabit internet service in the Chicago metropolitan area as a trial, but unlike earlier similar rollouts, it's pricier this time around.
To clear things up, the telecom is already conducting tests in Atlanta and Nashville, and it got the plans into gear in those locations earlier this year.
The same case with the two cities, the cable company is also going to use a DOCSIS 3.1 modem on top of the existing infrastructure to deliver 1 Gbps of speed in Chicago.
"Our commitment to providing customers with a great experience is front and center with this announcement, and we're proud that Comcast's Chicago area customers will be among the first in the world to have access to this new Gigabit technology," says John Crowley, senior vice president of Comcast Greater Chicago Region.
The company also boasts the possibilities that customers can expect from its service, saying that they can download a 5 GB movie in 40 seconds, a 600 MB TV episode in four seconds, a 150 MB music album in two seconds and a 15 GB video game in two minutes.
However, the service in Chicago is going to hold subscribers back by $140, not counting taxes and fees. That's two times more than the ones in Atlanta and Nashville, where customers can get it for $70 under a three-year contract.
This is probably because the internet fiber market in Atlanta and Nashville is more heated, and Comcast has to set the prices there competitively. Of course, the big contender in those areas is none other than Google Fiber, so it shouldn't come as much of a surprise why it's difficult to get a strong position in the scenes there.
It's worth pointing out that the company has also provided an explanation about why this is the case in Chicago.
"As these are advanced consumer trials, we are testing different prices and promotions in different markets," Comcast tells The Consumerist.
AT&T already offers gigabit internet service in Chicago for $90 per month, though. In other words, aligning with Comcast's statement, the company seems to be planning on trying out the market in the city first before competitively adjusting its price.
At any rate, Chicago residents now have yet another option for high-speed internet thanks to this development, but those who find it a bit too expensive will have to look elsewhere — for now, at least.
Do you live in the Windy City? If so, feel free to let us know in the comments section below whether or not you're going to sign up for Comcast's gigabit internet service.
