Extra Boost: Comcast Secret HSD Tech Revealed

Comcast is about to take the official wraps off "PowerBoost," a patent-pending speed enhancer that can double HSD users’ speeds when they need it (i.e., downloading music, games, etc). The service will use additional capacity already built into the MSO’s fiber network to offer the extra speed bursts, which will run up to 12Mbps and 16Mbps, respectively, on Comcast’s 6Mbps and 8Mbps download services. This is the tech that Steve Burke mysteriously referenced during Comcast’s 1Q presentation, calling it "a very interesting technical implementation that’s going to allow us to increase speed in a way we’ve never done before" (Cfax, 4/28). At the time, Comcast declined to provide further details. But Burke mentioned it again during WSJ’s "D4: All Things Digital" conference yesterday. Comcast already has rolled out the free, speed enhancer to some markets, including parts of New England. It will start marketing PowerBoost June 12 in select markets. The tech will continue to launch market by market. PowerBoost doesn’t require additional file downloads. It will work with cable modems, as well as home networking gateways and voice eMTAs.