TDS threatens Time Warner Cable in Southeastern Wisconsin with 1 Gbps launch plans

TDS Telecom is working to take a big lead over cable incumbent Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC) in Southeastern Wisconsin's broadband race by offering its 1 Gbps fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) broadband data and IPTV service to residential customers in Bohners Lake and Wheatland.

Set to go live in May, eligible customers will be able to get a service bundle that includes 1 Gbps broadband data and TDS' TV service.

Like the earlier rollouts of the service TDS conducted in Waterford, Wis., and New London, N.H., the 1 Gig Internet service in these communities will be offered as part of a TDS TV bundle that includes over 260 all-digital channels (including 100+ in HD), on-demand TV and movies, pay-per-view and on-the-go viewing options. The company will also offer wireless set-top boxes.

TDS' launch in Bohners Lake and Wheatland follows a previous build out of the service in other parts of Southeastern Wisconsin. In October, the service provider began connecting residential customers in Elkhorn, Johnson Creek, Waterford and Wind Lake, Wis., to its 1 Gbps FTTP service.

At the same time, TDS is also bringing its Fiberville program to Bohners Lake and Wheatland. Similar to Google Fiber's "fiberhood" concept, TDS Telecom's Fiberville rewards residents and neighborhoods with special offers and discounts once 15 percent of the neighborhood pre-registers for TDS TV service. As an added incentive for pre-registering for service, "Fiberville" status provides users with free HD for life.

"Fiberville offers Bohners Lake and Wheatland residents a unique opportunity to get out and talk to their neighbors and to get extra savings for as long as they're a TDS customer," said Julie Maiers, director of Marketing at TDS Telecom, in a release.

The debut of the 1 Gbps service in Bohners Lake and Wheatland is part of TDS' broader initiative to deploy FTTP services in its wireline territory. The company plans to deliver the service to 25 percent of its access lines this year.

For more:
- see the release

Special Report: Gigabit Wars: The best prices for 1 Gbps service from ILECs, MSOs and municipal providers

Related articles:
TDS carves out 1 Gbps niche in the rural FTTP market
TDS to light up 1 Gbps, IPTV service in Waterford, Wis.
TDS adds New London, N.H., to its 1 Gig fiber-based broadband list
TDS Telecom lights 1 Gbps fiber broadband service in Hollis, N.H.