Comcast's 1Gbps service rolling out, but no word on pricing just yet

Can you believe it has been three years since Google launched its Google Fiber service in Kansas City? Well, Comcast is now rolling out its own gigabit Internet service, connecting its first customer in Philadelphia.

Comcast is doing things a little differently to Google when it comes to connecting users up to its 1Gbps service, so instead of laying new fiber connections to houses, Comcast is using the new DOCSIS 3.1 standard. DOCSIS 3.1 works over the current "hybrid fiber coaxial" networks, so it's much cheaper to roll out, and once Comcast has it all setup, it should be able to deploy 1Gbps connections to most, if not all of its customers.

Now, the cost. Considering Comcast is offering its insanely fast 2Gbps service for $300 per month, it uses an entirely different technology. Comcast's 2Gbps service requires customers to live "within close proximity" to their fiber network. The company hopes to have its 1Gbps service in "several parts of the country" before the end of next year.