German cable operator Unitymedia wants to offer internet speeds of up to 10Gbps in future.
The passage to the ‘Gigasphere’ is enabled by new cable standard DOCSIS 3.1, as CEO Lutz Schüler told Broadband TV News at ANGA COM 2016 in Cologne. The necessary exchange of network components has just commenced.
Schüler expects the commercial introduction of DOCSIS 3.1 in the first regions within Unitymedia’s footprint in 2018 rather than 2017 with the competition environment also playing a role in this.
At Unitymedia’s ANGA COM stand visitors can try out surfing the net, using virtual reality games and apps live with 2Gbps.
With the move, Unitymedia responds to the strong customer interest in high-speed internet. Almost 10% of new customers already opt for the currently highest data rate tariffs of 200Mbps or 400Mbps, said Schüler.
Ultra HD, however, is currently not an issue for Unitymedia. “When there’s demand, then we’ll do it,” said Schüler. Technically, Unitymedia’s cable network would be prepared for the new video format. Schüler’s prediction: “Ultra HD will come, but considerably later than expected.”
