The cable network will then extend to almost 100% of the former federal states. With this upgrade, 90% of the Kabel Deutschland cable network, representing approximately 13.6 million households, will have internet and telephone service. Two million of these households are located in rural areas.
"Kabel Deutschland is making a further significant contribution to achieving the federal government's broadband targets with this internet upgrade for millions more households. For cities and communities, high-speed internet is a key locational advantage crucial to their competitive position," says Dr. Adrian von Hammerstein, CEO of Kabel Deutschland Holding AG. "The new federal states of eastern Germany could also see further upgrades and a wider range of high-speed internet services via cable once the fragmentation of local cable networks has been overcome," adds von Hammerstein.
During 2012, Kabel Deutschland will offer internet products with speeds of up to 100 Mbps in all areas designated for internet upgrades. At this higher speed, customers can browse approximately six times faster over a more modern fiber optic cable network than with conventional 16 Mbps ADSL.