Altice Planning 10 Gbps FTTH

Nov. 30, 2016
Altice USA (Euronext:ATC) announced plans to build a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network capable of delivering broadband speeds of up to 10 ...

Altice USA (Euronext:ATC) announced plans to build a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network capable of delivering broadband speeds of up to 10 Gbps across its U.S. footprint, including its Optimum and Suddenlink markets. The MSO plans to extend fiber deeper into its existing hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) network and leverage proprietary technologies developed by Altice Labs, the company's global research and development arm, to create the system, dubbed Generation GigaSpeed.

Altice says it's the first major U.S. cable provider to announce an FTTH deployment across its entire footprint.

"Across the globe Altice has invested heavily in building state-of-the-art fiber-optic networks, and we are pleased to bring our expertise stateside to drive fiber deeper into our infrastructure for the benefit of our U.S. Optimum and Suddenlink customers," said Dexter Goei, Altice USA chairman and CEO. "Today, we have a best-in-class network with incredibly fast speeds and quality service, and by taking immediate steps to create the fastest next-generation network, we will be positioned to support our customers' needs well into the future. Altice USA's 'Generation GigaSpeed' underscores our promise to accelerate investment in our network, sets the foundation for the delivery of next-generation services and enhancements for our customers, and is a testimony to the bright future of the U.S. telecommunications industry."

The five-year deployment plan is scheduled to begin in 2017, and the company expects to reach all of its Optimum footprint and most of its Suddenlink footprint during that timeframe. Initial rollout markets will be announced in the coming months. Altice expects to reinvest energy efficiency savings to support the buildout without a material change in its overall capital budget.

Since Altice USA's inception with the acquisition of Suddenlink followed by Cablevision/Optimum, the company has been aggressive in rolling out enhanced services to its customers, tripling Internet speeds to up to 300 Mbps for residential customers and 350 Mbps for business customers in its Optimum footprint more than a year ahead of schedule. The company has also expanded gigabit broadband service to nearly half of Suddenlink's service area, more than 40 markets so far. In the Suddenlink footprint, the company continues to introduce an all-digital TV lineup, and in the Optimum footprint the company has extended its outdoor WiFi network and is expanding its business product portfolio.