Is Spectrum Upgrading to Symmetrical Speeds?

Topics Covered:

• What Does Symmetrical Internet Mean?
• How Is Spectrum Internet Upgrading?
  
• Spectrum Internet and DOCSIS 4.0
• Current Spectrum Internet Offers
• Spectrum Symmetrical Internet FAQ

Great news, Spectrum customers. Charter, the company behind Spectrum, is in the process of upgrading its cable line infrastructure in its service footprint across the country in order to provide faster speeds than ever before.

This development, which began in early 2023, is slated to last through 2025, and will eventually see Spectrum Internet plans that can offer close to symmetrical speeds up to a whopping 10 Gig.

Let's dig a little deeper into how Spectrum is doing this, and what it really means for Spectrum Internet customers across the country.

What Does Symmetrical Internet Mean?

Symmetrical internet refers to an internet connection where the download and upload speeds are equal, or symmetrical. Typically, with the majority of internet plans, the download speed is much faster than the upload speed, making the plan asymmetrical.

With cable internet providers such as Spectrum, the much-slower upload speeds are seen as a disadvantage when compared to fiber internet. Fiber internet can tout truly symmetrical download and upload speeds thanks to the power of optical fibers.

Optical fibers transmit data via refracted light signals, and the optical fibers are incredibly strong and resistant, allowing for superfast, reliable speeds.

Because fiber internet has this inherent advantage over cable internet, cable internet has to separate itself by running promotions revolving around bundles with mobile phone service, such as Spectrum's Spectrum One deal.

However, very recently, Spectrum has begun the process of overhauling its extensive cable infrastructure that spans across the country. These upgrades, which will be explained below, will allow customers to sign up for faster, more symmetrical plans that can directly compete with the best offers from fiber-optic providers.

How Is Spectrum Internet Upgrading?

You might be wondering how exactly Spectrum is planning on upgrading its existing cable infrastructure to support near-symmetrical internet speeds of up to 10 Gig. The answer has two parts.

Firstly, Spectrum has already begun its first phase of development. Spectrum has begun implementing what is referred to as "high-split" technology in limited markets across the United States.

In these areas, the infrastructure, more specifically, Spectrum's HFC (hybrid fiber-coax) network is upgraded to allow for more bandwidth allocation for uploading. In short, there is more room on these upgraded cable lines for faster uploads.

This high split implementation is certainly a process, as Spectrum is rolling this out throughout the country, market by market. It will take through 2024 and beyond for full implementation across the Spectrum service footprint.

However, high split implementation is just one piece of the process. The other is the widespread application of DOCSIS 4.0, which will truly change cable internet technology and allow it to be a more equal product to fiber internet.

DOCSIS (data over cable service interface specification) 4.0 is the latest iteration of an international standard followed by cable internet service providers. DOCSIS 4.0 has been developed for quite some time now, but it takes a long time to go from development to actual real-world application and construction. 

Spectrum's infrastructure is expected to be fully DOCSIS 4.0 compatible by the end of 2025 throughout a majority of the Spectrum footprint.

But what exactly does DOCSIS 4.0 do, and why is it important?

Spectrum Internet and DOCSIS 4.0

Right now, most Spectrum Internet customers likely receive a DOCSIS 3.1 modem, which is an impressive device in its own right. DOCSIS 3.1 modems are capable of supporting download speeds up to 10,000 Mbps, which is of course much faster than Spectrum Internet's fastest current plans. 

However, although DOCSIS 3.1 modems are able to provide download speeds up to 10 Gig, they can only provide upload speeds that are one tenth as fast. When moving to symmetrical plans, this obviously poses a problem.

This is why Spectrum will roll out DOCSIS 4.0 in late 2024, which will ultimately allow customers to order internet plans up to 10,000 Mbps download speeds and up to 6,000 Mbps upload speeds. 

By the end of 2025, Spectrum hopes to offers 5,000 download speeds with 1,000 Mbps upload speeds to over 85% of its footprint, with speeds only improving from there.

Keep in mind that this is a lengthy, complicated process, and certain markets will receive access to the upgraded infrastructure and updated plans before others. It is best to be patient while the process takes place. Spectrum is taking great pride in its cable upgrades and is confident that customers will be receiving a much improved, futureproof product that can stack up nicely with fiber-optic offerings.

In the meanwhile, Spectrum Internet still has fast and reliable plans available.

Current Spectrum Internet Offers

If you are not in one of the rollout markets for the latest and greatest Spectrum Internet offers, don't fret! Eventually, these upgraded speeds will be making their way to over 85% of the Spectrum footprint.

Spectrum still offers reliable, fast internet plans that can be bundled with other services, such as mobile phone or TV, for even more value.

Check out the current Spectrum Internet plans below. To learn more about a plan, or to check availability at your address, call the phone number on the page.

Plan	Download Speed	Best For...	Household Size	Starting Price (/mo.for 12 mos.)
Spectrum Internet Premier	Up to 500 Mbps	Emailing, web browsing, uploading/downloading files, video/music streaming, gaming	2-4 people (average household)	$50
Spectrum Internet Gig	Up to 1 Gig	Intense gaming, streaming, learning/working from home, e-commerce, advanced file management. Includes Advanced WiFi.	5+ people (large household)	$70