News and Events
Midcontinent Upgrade to Enable Increased Broadband Capacity
- Date: 2/12/14
- Category: News Releases
February 12, 2014: Sioux Falls, SD -- Midcontinent Communications announces plans for a network upgrade in Wahpeton which will deliver multiple benefits including: all-digital access to every television channel and increased broadband capacity for MidcoNet Xstream Wideband customers.
“Wahpeton is a progressive community and this upgrade is Midcontinent’s direct response to the increased demands from customers for faster broadband speeds and increased capacity,” said Jon Pederson, Vice President of Technology for Midcontinent Communications. “Demand for capacity doubles every 15 months as online video usage continues to rise and customers add more internet-enabled devices in their homes. The digital upgrade will allow Midcontinent to continue offering the region’s fastest internet speeds, as confirmed in 2012 and 2013 by PCMag.com.”
“Midcontinent will be testing the new network platform in three communities throughout 2014, with Wahpeton being the first. Continued roll-out will occur in 2015. This is a significant investment in our network. Our goal is to stay ahead of the curve and continue to provide our customers with unparalled Internet capacity and speeds,” said Pederson. “Back in December 2004, peak utilization for the network was 1.08 Gigabits. In December 2013 our peak was at 108.05 Gigabits. Internet providers who don’t invest in improvements to their networks, which enable customers to fully take advantage of all their devices, are going to be left behind.”
Customers who already have digital equipment from Midcontinent on their televisions will not need to take any action. If a customer does not have digital equipment on televisions connected to Midcontinent cable services, they will need to order equipment at Midco.com/digitalnow or contact Customer Service at 1-800-888-1300 and arrange for equipment delivery before the April 22, 2014 deadline. Customers who need digital equipment will receive it free-of-charge for up to two televisions for as long as they remain a Midcontinent video customer.
