MOUND, Minn. – Mediacom Communications today announced the company has begun launching 1 Gig Internet speeds within its expansive Minnesota service territory. As a result, residents and small businesses in over 80 cities and towns passed by Mediacom’s fiber-rich digital network are now able to enjoy download speeds that are up to 40 times faster than the minimum broadband definition set by the Federal Communications Commission.

“Since 1996, Mediacom has invested over $8 billion of private capital in its national network to ensure that hard-working families throughout the smaller markets we serve in the Gopher State and beyond receive the same advanced communications services as America’s largest cities,” said Bill Jensen, Group Vice President for Mediacom’s Lakes Region. “As a result of these investments, we are extremely proud to be adding the cities and towns we serve across Minnesota to Mediacom’s rapidly expanding list of true gigabit communities.”

Mediacom was the first major U.S. cable company to fully transition to the DOCSIS 3.1 “Gigasphere” platform, the latest generation of broadband technology. The company will utilize Gigasphere to bring gigabit broadband services to virtually all of the 3 million homes and businesses within its 22 state footprint. To date, Mediacom has launched 1 Gig Internet services in over 500 communities. As DOCSIS 3.1 cable modems become more readily available in the marketplace, Mediacom will announce additional 1 Gig Internet launches on a market by market basis throughout the remainder of the year, including 100 additional Minnesota communities over the next few months. In conjunction with each 1 Gig Internet announcement, Mediacom will also introduce a new 500 Mbps tier of service.

“Access to ultra-fast broadband services is a critically important component to driving economic growth in rural communities,” said Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Chair of the Governor's Broadband Task Force. “As a result of investments like Mediacom is making today, small cities and towns across Minnesota are better positioned for America’s transition into the gigabit age and poised to better compete in today’s global marketplace.”

“In addition to enhancing speeds for residential and small business customers today, the Gigasphere platform we have deployed also lays the groundwork for offering multi-Gig services in the future,” said Mediacom’s Chief Technology Officer, JR Walden. “This next generation technology is an excellent complement to the Gigabit+ Fiber SolutionsTM that Mediacom Business has been offering local businesses in our markets for many years.”

Mediacom Communications Corp.