Development and deployment of ultra-fast broadband is a continuing goal for major telecommunications carriers, responding to the demand for streaming video and other high-intensity bandwidth usage. For example, Verizon announced plans to test new broadband technology that would reportedly (link is external) provide download speeds of 10 gigabits per second.  That would be 10 times faster than Google Fiber and 1,000 times the rate of the average U.S. home Internet connection.

As this Verizon video demonstrates, uploading 1,000 photos using this technology would take just two seconds and downloading a feature-length high definition movie would be completed in eight seconds. Verizon’s 10-gigabit Internet leverages next-generation passive optical network technology, known as NG-PON2, was discussed recently in this USTelecom webinar. The technology enables providers to upgrade the networks capacity by adding new colors of light onto the existing fiber, and is capable of ultimately increasing system capacity from 10 Gbps to 40-80 Gbps.

“The advantage of our FiOS network is that it can be upgraded easily by adding electronics onto the fiber network that is already in place,” according to Lee Hicks (link is external), vice president of network technology for Verizon. “Deploying this exciting new technology sets a new standard for the broadband industry and further validates our strategic choice of fiber-to-the-premises,” Hicks said.

AT&T is also is a key broadband provider with its GigaPower offering.  The company has pledged to launch 1 Gbps fiber-to-the-home service to 23 new markets.

Fairpoint recently announced the company would launch gigabit Internet service in select New Hampshire markets.

Windstream’s CEO Tony Thomas has said the telco plans to introduce gigabit Internet in one market in 2015, with plans to expand this high-speed broadband offering in every one of its markets.

The capital and commitment of the nation’s telecom providers will continue to enhance and expand high-speed Internet offerings, supporting consumer demand and next-generation innovations. 

See more at: http://www.ustelecom.org/blog/building-ultra-high-speed-internet#sthash.qoplPpWy.dpuf

In contrast to the above U.S. telcos, Comcast XFINITY® delivers the fastest Internet, now with download speeds up to 505 Mbps.  That service is expensive- it cost  $399.95 a month.  

This author has AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet Max Turbo, which advertises download speeds of 18.1 Mbps -to- 24 Mbps.  Several times, I’ve measured the download speed at the DSL modem which is usually around 23 to 24Mbps.  However, the 802.11n WiFi router (which is bundled with the DSL modem) only provides a measured 16 Mbps to 18 Mbps downstream rate.  

Hence, one must be very careful in determining what the downstream rate the user actually realizes.   Misleading telco/MSO advertising is quite common!