Time Warner Cable is throwing the gauntlet down to Google, dramatically raising the speeds of its internet service for free in the hopes of keeping a hold of its customers as Google Fiber continues its rollout.
Google Fiber will be expanding into Charlotte, North Carolina soon, but TWC is trying to maintain a foothold on the market by announcing that subscribers of all of their internet packages will soon see their internet speeds receive an upgrade, completely free of charge.
Announcing the new deal, TWC released a statement, saying:
“The Internet transformation will begin this summer and will include speed increases on TWC residential Internet plans at no additional cost, with customers experiencing increases up to six times faster, depending on their current level of Internet service. For example, customers who subscribe to Standard, formerly up to 15 Mbps, will now receive up to 50 Mbps, customers who subscribe to Extreme, formerly up to 30 Mbps, will now receive up to 200 Mbps; and customers who subscribe to Ultimate, formerly up to 50 Mbps, will receive up to 300 Mbps, at no extra charge.”
That’s a pretty big leap no matter which bundle you’re subscribed to, though it still pales in comparison to the internet speeds Google Fiber provides, with $70 per month granting users speeds of 1GB (1000Mbps) both upstream and downstream. With internet that fast you’d be able to stream a film on Netflix in every room on your house, start up a lucrative career on Twitch and download the Prince discography all at the same time.
Google Fiber is finally giving consumers options when it comes to their ISP.
Though TWC is certainly upping its game, with its Ultimate package clocking in at $65 per month it still cannot compete with what Google Fiber is offering. Considering it is the only other internet provider available in Charlotte, it could likely see itself losing an awful lot of business, with the monopoly it once held over the city being broken down by Google’s incredible offer.
As Google continues its rollout and puts ISPs under further pressure, consumers in the US will slowly find themselves finally having more reasonable options when it comes to who they use to provide them with their broadband.
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