WOW! has launched a pilot Distributed Access Architecture (DAA) program in Panama City, FL, laying the foundation to deliver multi-gig speeds to customers over its existing hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network.
By leveraging DAA technology, WOW! comes another step closer to moving to DOCSIS 4.0 and symmetrical multi-gig services, including eventually 10 Gbps.
The trial in Panama City is available to a select group of customers in a previously designated service area. Participating customers will benefit from 2 Gbps download speeds and 200 Mbps upload speeds. This phased approach to these enhancements will become available to current and new subscribers in additional markets shortly.
"As we plan for the ever-increasing consumer demand for bandwidth, our goal is to proactively enhance our network and offer customers our most advanced technology at any given time," said Gary Nilsen, senior vice president of access networks at WOW! "In addition to delivering greater capability and HSD speeds, the technologies being tested will help minimize the need for future upgrades. We look forward to further validating the enhanced capabilities of our network with this trial in Panama City.”
Besides enhancing its HFC network, WOW! continues to expand its fiber-based broadband capabilities in Greenfield markets.
Earlier this month, WOW! added its first customers in Mauldin, a town in Greenville County, South Carolina, to its fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network. With this launch, residents and businesses in Mauldin can subscribe to fiber services, including residential symmetrical Internet speeds up to 5 Gbps.
This expansion is part of the company's ongoing initiative to bring advanced fiber technology and exceptional customer service to Greenfield markets like Mauldin as part of the company's plan to reach 400,000 new homes, including a projected 30,000 homes in Greenville County, South Carolina.
In addition to the service launch in Mauldin, fiber construction is also taking place in the Greenville County communities of Five Forks, Fountain Inn and Simpsonville.
As part of its broader FTTH build-out, WOW! has been expanding its presence in various Alabama, Florida, Michigan and Minnesota markets.