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[December 20, 2009]

Suddenlink offers 20 Mbps Internet service in Victoria

Dec 20, 2009 (Victoria Advocate - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Internet service in the Crossroads just got a little faster.

Suddenlink cable is rolling out High Speed Internet Max 20.0 in Victoria.

The service boasts download speeds of 20 Mbps and an upload speed of up to 1 Mbps, according to a company news release. Previously, Suddenlink's highest download speed was 10 Mbps.

"This is expected to be the fastest residential service in the area," according to the release.

The upgrade is part of a three-year program that calls for $350 million more in capital investments than the company typically spends, according to the release.

Suddenlink invests roughly $80 million in Texas annually, company spokesman Gene Regan said.

"We've made just an extraordinary investment beyond what we normally do," he said. "As a result, we're really significantly upgrading services, adding new services all around the country." High Speed Internet Max 20.0 costs about $50 when bundled with other services, Regan said.

It isn't just the Max customers who will see quicker speeds, however. Early 2010 will bring faster Internet speeds for other Suddenlink customers, at no additional cost.

Those who subscribe to the 1Mbps service will increase to 1.5 Mbps, 8 Mbps plans will increase to 10 Mbps and 10 Mbps service will go on to 15.0 Mbps. They will be renamed Suddenlink High Speed Internet 1.5, 10.0 and 15.0, respectively.

The company has other changes on the horizon.

More high-definition TV channels are on the way in early 2010, including History HD, USA HD, SyFy HD, according to the release.

"We literally have thousands of hours in the VOD library," Regan said. "Once available, it will offer new options for people." Change might be on its way for Crossroads AT&T customers, too.

AT&T currently offers DSL high-speed Internet at up to 6 Mbps in Victoria, spokesman Mike Barger said.

Faster speeds are available in areas that offer U-verse -- an AT&T program a news release says brings TV, broadband, phone and wireless services together on one bill -- but he said it is unclear when U-verse will become available in Victoria.

"A lot of factors go in to determining which markets will roll out, and when," Barger said.

Much of it has to do with customer demand, he said, but network infrastructure, regulatory and permitting issues also come into play.

"We find wherever we are that customers want faster Internet," Barger said. "That's their deal. So it behooves us to offer, certainly, the fastest we can any market we're in." To see more of Victoria Advocate, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.thevictoriaadvocate.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Victoria Advocate, Texas Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

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