Cisco and Midcontinent Communications® today announced the deployment of the Cisco cBR-8 next-generation converged cable access platform (CCAP) across Midcontinent's entire network footprint. The Cisco cBR-8 will help Midcontinent increase network capacity with DOCSIS 3.1 broadband, while simplifying operations and accelerating the growth of its cable broadband network.
Midcontinent Communications serves more than 300,000 customers with cutting-edge Internet and networking, home automation and cable TV services – including ON Demand and TV Everywhere – in nearly 350 communities across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. In June 2014, Midcontinent doubled speeds for customers, increasing download speeds to 200 Mbps. The 2014 PCMag.com speed index ranked Midcontinent as the fastest ISP in the U.S.
While supporting its high-bandwidth DOCSIS 3.0 network, Midcontinent will utilize the massive DOCSIS 3.1 capabilities of the new Cisco cBR-8 Evolved CCAP platform to grow its business by offering multi-Gigabit speed services.
The ability to serve all DOCSIS broadband and video services across the converged cBR-8 chassis brings significant operational benefits and cost savings for Midcontinent as it starts bringing Midcontinent Gigabit Initiative services online. By the end of 2017, the company's goal is to make gigabit speeds available to approximately 600,000 homes and 55,000 businesses along a high-capacity fiber network that covers more than 8,100 miles. Top speeds available from Midcontinent will be five times faster than its current best and 35 times faster than the average high-speed Internet access speed in America.
