Grande beats AT&T, Google Fiber with 1 Gbps launch in San Antonio

Grande Communications, a Texas-based cable overbuilder, is leapfrogging competitors AT&T (NYSE: T) and Google Fiber (NASDAQ: GOOG) with plans to launch its new 1 Gbps fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) service in San Antonio on March 3.

Initially targeting the Alamo Heights and Terrell Hills neighborhoods, eligible customers will be able to get the Power 1000 service for $64.99.

Besides the 1 Gbps service offering, the service provider is also enhancing its existing HFC-based DOCSIS platform to deliver five new speed tiers: 200 Mbps for $44.99; 300 Mbps for $54.99; 400 Mbps for $64.99; 15 Mbps for $29.99; and 50 Mbps at $34.99.

Grande is offering the Power 400 in areas that do not yet carry 1 Gbps service. Over the past year, the service provider has been aggressively building out its 1 Gbps service, launching the service Austin in February of 2014, and it has continued to expand its 1 Gbps coverage area.

All of the Internet speeds are also included in Grande's Get-It-All bundles featuring improved options to include premium channels for customers that opt for additional TV and phone service. 

While Grande may be the first provider to offer 1 Gbps in San Antonio, it will eventually get company from AT&T, which named the city as one of its potential targets to deploy its U-verse with GigaPower product later this year.

AT&T already delivers the 1 Gbps service in Austin for $70 a month, but requires users to agree to have their Internet activity tracked by the telco. Ultimately, the service provider plans to bring FTTP services up to 100 cities, including 21 new major metropolitan areas. 

For more:
- see the release

Special report: Gigabit Wars: The best prices for 1 Gbps service from ILECs, MSOs and municipal providers

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