Videotron to start roll-out of next-generation Internet

MONTRÉAL, Nov. 15, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Following up on the introduction of its new Giga Fibre Hybrid Internet service, which supports speeds of up to 940 Mbps, Videotron has begun implementing Docsis 3.1 on its network. The new-generation technology developed by the CableLabs consortium, of which Videotron is a member, will eventually deliver lightening speeds of up to 10 Gbps for downloads and 1 Gbps for uploads. Videotron is now deploying Docsis 3.1 modems on its network and adapting its equipment and working protocols to the new technology.

"We are announcing a very important and exciting development today," said Manon Brouillette, President and CEO of Videotron. "With this deployment, we are laying the first stones in the foundations of the Internet of the future. We will be able to offer better Internet access service that meets the growing speed and bandwidth needs of our customers, who are watching more and more HD and UHD videos and adopting the cloud, the Internet of Things, augmented reality and virtual reality."

Beta testing
Testing is already underway at Montréal-area homes and businesses. The tests will collect important information on users' behaviour and reactions in a real-life environment and help ensure the reliability and performance of the technology once deployed on Videotron's network.

Commercial launch
After testing has been successfully completed, it will be possible to roll out Docsis 3.1 very quickly as it is compatible with Videotron's existing network, where it has been upgraded. Only a new modem for the user and a software upgrade on the network will be needed in order to deliver the very high speeds.

"We are proud to be one of the first operators in the world and the first in Canada to install this new technology, demonstrating once again our leadership in the Internet access market and our commitment to offering our customers state-of-the-art services at all times," said Ms. Brouillette.

Videotron's Fibre Hybrid 200 Mbps Internet access service already makes the fastest current speeds available to 3 million households and businesses across virtually all of its service area.

Videotron (www.videotron.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Quebecor Media Inc., is an integrated communications company engaged in cable television, interactive multimedia development, Internet access, cable telephone and mobile telephone services. Videotron is a leader in new technologies with its illico interactive television service and its broadband network, which supports high-speed cable Internet access, analog and digital cable television, and other services. As of September 30, 2016, Videotron was serving 1,695,700 cable television customers, including 1,570,800 Digital TV subscribers. Videotron is also the Québec leader in high-speed Internet access, with 1,596,100 subscribers to its cable service as of September 30, 2016. As of the same date, Videotron had 867,700 subscriber connections to its mobile telephone service and was providing cable telephone service to 1,265,100 Québec households and organizations. For the eleventh consecutive year, Videotron was ranked as Québec's most respected telecommunications company in the annual Léger survey.

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SOURCE Videotron

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