Unitymedia, the Liberty Global-owned German MSO, said it has moved ahead with a network upgrade that will double its max downstream speeds to 400 Mbps starting February 1.
The upgrade, based on DOCSIS 3.0 technology, will initially target 3.2 million cable homes in Unitymedia systems serving the North Rhine-Westphalia area, or about 40% of the 12.7 cable homes in the MSO’s footprint, which also spans Hesse and Baden-Württemberg.
Unitymedia is pairing its 400-Meg downstream with an upstream that tops out at 20 Mbps.
Additionally, Unitymedia, which is preparing to deploy DOCSIS 3.1, said it has deployed more than 1,000 public WiFi hotspots in 100 cities in North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse and Baden-Württemberg.
“We have set ourselves ambitious targets and will be driving the network upgrade forward quickly in the coming months and years by making the necessary investments, Unitymedia CEO Lutz Schüler, said in a statement. “Hybrid fibre coaxial technology is ideal for future requirements and a reliable infrastructure for enabling consumers and businesses to participate in the information and knowledge society. In offering 400 Mbps, we are sending a clear signal to the market and further extending our lead.”
