News and Events

Midco joining global cable industry to advance network capacity and speed to keep ahead of innovation and consumer demand.

January 7, 2019 – Las Vegas, NV: Today, in conjunction with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Midco joined U.S. and international cable providers to announce it will deliver 10G. This powerful, capital-efficient technology platform will ramp up the one gigabit offerings of today to speeds of 10 gigabits per second and beyond.

Midco will invest $500 million over 10 years on 10G, which will take place in phases. Midco and the industry have lab trials already underway – and industry field trials beginning by 2020.

"The 10G Vision is to create a seamlessly connected smart world, enabling technology that will reinvent the way we live, and empower experiences for people. After our successful launch of gigabit internet to 90% of our Midco footprint, this is the next great leap for broadband," said Pat McAdaragh, Midco President and CEO.

McAdaragh has played a key role in the 10G Vision and plan, as he serves on the Board of Directors for NCTA – The Internet & Television Association. 10G is a joint effort of NCTA, CableLabs and Cable Europe.

Also today, Intel declared it will be one of the first providers to create the silicon that will power the next step of the 10G network experience.

A Great Leap, Already in Motion

10G provides fast symmetrical speeds, low latency, unmatched reliability, extreme compute capabilities and rock-solid security for the broadest range of customers. Over the past several years, Midco has been building and enhancing its network technology to prepare for the massive needs of the future.

"The Midco Network is already well prepared for 10G in locations such as Fargo, Dickinson and Annandale, because we've built fiber-deep. All future build-outs, line extensions and upgrades will be constructed in the same fashion with fiber pushed deeper into the network – closer to the customer – to ready our network paths for 10G performance," said Jon Pederson, Chief Technology Officer at Midco.

Midco will continue to install advanced technology on its network to prepare for 10G, and it will have ongoing reliability benefits for all levels and speeds of Midco internet services – including fiber, cable modem internet and fixed wireless internet. 

"10G also compliments and enables mobile providers' 5G networks," said Pederson. "In fact, multiple mobile providers already use Midco fiber to power their towers. The 10G platform of the future will be even more robust to serve this and future technologies."

Redefining Experiences and Opportunities

More than just a speed increase, the 10G platform is a generational shift that will power the smart communities, businesses and homes of the future. It will spark opportunity for future innovations that change the way consumers, educators, businesses and innovators interact with the world. Examples include:

• Remote diagnostics and more advanced medical care
• 4K and 8K HD movie streaming
• Super high-resolution graphics and responsiveness for gamers
• A virtual world of holodecks and interactive video walls
• Long-range augmented reality for businesses

"10G is a technology evolution that will help the Midco and others stay ahead of the digital progress underway in our world. Think of it as a way to future-proof our network for technologies to come," added McAdaragh. 

For more information, please visit Midco.com/10G and 10Gplatform.com.