IE 11 Not Supported

For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.

AT&T Picks Jacksonville as Second Florida City to Receive Its GigaPower Network

Although AT&T did not say how widespread the Jacksonville coverage area would be, the service would be geared toward residential customers and small businesses.

Jacksonville will join Miami as the first two Florida cities in line for AT&T’s new GigaPower fiber network, company officials said Tuesday in an announcement with Mayor Alvin Brown.

The company did not say how widespread the Jacksonville coverage area would be, when it would be available or what it would cost. The service would be geared toward residential customers and small businesses.

Brown and JAX Chamber CEO Daniel Davis said the high-speed fiber network would give Jacksonville an edge in attracting up-and-coming entrepreneurs who put Internet access on their checklist when choosing among cities.

“We all know that speed is king in the online world,” Brown said.

Davis said it will translate to more high-tech jobs.

“Simply stated, Jacksonville is hot, and we’re attracting young talent everyday,” Davis said.

According to AT&T, customers using the GigaPower network will be able to download 25 songs in one second, a television show in less than three seconds, and a high-definition online movie in less than 36 seconds.

AT&T Florida President Joe York said the company will roll out more details about GigaPower “in the near future.” He said AT&T has invested $130 million in Jacksonville over the past three years.

“I think we’ll continue to see significant investment by AT&T going forward in Jacksonville, as well as Florida as a whole,” York said.

Comcast, which competes with AT&T in Jacksonville, also has been ramping up its Internet speeds.

Comcast spokeswoman Mindy Kramer said it’s “important to look beyond the buzzwords and ask what practical and affordable broadband solutions do customers actually want. We already provide a wide variety of speeds at affordable price points for what the typical customer needs.”

©2014 The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, Fla.)