Time Warner Cable said it has kicked off “TWC Maxx” all-digital upgrades in the Dallas Metroplex that will pave the way for faster broadband speeds, more channels and VOD, and the operator’s new, souped-up HD-DVR.
TWC said it is also expanding the rollout of its metro WiFi network in Dallas, starting in small business locations, with outdoor deployments to kick off toward the end of the first quarter.
On the broadband end, TWC Maxx will boost the capabilities of the MSO’s Standard residential tier from 15 Mbps to 50 Mbps downstream; raise Extreme from 30 Mbps to as much as 200 Mbps; and bump subs of the Ultimate offering from 100 Mbps to 300 Mbps, at no extra charge. Regarding broadband competition, AT&T has begun to offer its fiber-based, 1-Gig-capable “GigaPower” to pockets of the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.
TWC will also make available an Arris-made Enhanced DVR with six tuners and a 1-terabyte drive, enough to record up to 50 hours of HD video.
TWC is also using one-way Digital Transport Adapters (DTAs) in support of the all-digital conversion. In Dallas, TWC is offering existing customers DTAs at no charge through April 21, 2016, so long as they put in their orders by August 19, 2015. DTAs are simple channel zappers that convert digital signals to analog.
TWC. which is in the process of being acquired by Comcast, said the first phase of the all-digital initiative will reach the following areas: Addison, Allen, Arlington, Bedford, Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Cockrell Hill, Colleyville, Commerce, Coppell, Dallas, DeSoto, Double Oak, Euless, Farmers Branch, Farmersville, Flower Mound, Frisco, Garland, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Greenville, Highland Village, Hutchins, Irving, Kennedale, Lancaster, Lewisville, McKinney, Mesquite, Murphy, Pantego, Plano, Princeton, Richardson, Rockwall, Rowlett, Sachse, St. Paul, Sunnyvale, The Colony and Wylie.
TWC Maxx upgrades are underway or complete in Kansas City, Los Angeles, New York, and San Antonio. Other TWC markets on tap this year include San Diego, Hawaii, Charlotte and Raleigh.
