Altice USA has announced that it has increased broadband download speeds across its ‘Optimum’-branded former Cablevision footprint in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – more than a year ahead of its public interest post-takeover commitment. As such, downlink speeds of up to 300Mbps (residential) and 350Mbps (business) are now available, superseding the premium 101Mbps internet tier previously on offer. Altice Group’s USD17.7 billion takeover of Cablevision was completed in June 2016.
In a parallel announcement, Altice USA says it is now offering Gigabit broadband connectivity in a handful of new markets served by its Suddenlink subsidiary. 1Gbps download speeds are available in Clovis and Texico, New Mexico, as well as Farwell, Texas. Brian Borthwick, Altice USA’s vice president of Suddenlink operations, commented: ‘Today’s announcement is the next step in Operation GigaSpeed, the company-wide plan we announced in August of 2014.’ The cableco, which was acquired by Altice in December 2015, has a legacy goal of covering 60% of its footprint with Gigabit broadband services by the end of 2016.