BATON ROUGE, La., July 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Communications today announced that it is launching its gigabit Internet service for residential customers in Louisiana. Marketed under the brand name "G1GABLAST^SM," Cox will offer speeds 100 times faster than the average speed in the U.S. today.

Cox announced the expanded availability of residential gigabit Internet speeds at a special event at the Americana Traditional Neighborhood Development in the City of Zachary, one of the first neighborhoods in the state to receive the new service. 

"We are excited about our roadmap to offer gigabit speeds to all of our residential customers," said Jacqui Vines, senior vice president and region manager for Cox's Southeast Region. "We are deploying new technology and infrastructure that will offer our customers the choice of gigabit speeds in all markets we serve."

In addition to the Americana subdivision in Zachary, Cox's gigabit Internet service is also available at the Lexi Falls subdivision in the City of Broussard and the Bella Ridge/Cottonwood Creek apartments in Harahan, just outside of New Orleans. Additional properties will be coming online with gigabit services in the near future.

Cox has been deploying gigabit speeds to businesses for more than a decade, and the company will offer residential gigabit speeds in all of its markets by the end of 2016. The company has already launched G1GABLAST service in parts of the Phoenix, Arizona and Orange County, California areas, Las Vegas and Omaha. 

"Americana has been planned to provide the highest level of technology for a smart mixed community in the State of Louisiana.  We have partnered with Cox over the last two years and today is the latest advancement of our smart community technology plan for Americana," said Charles Landry, Americana's lead developer.

"Cox has been the digital communications leader in our Greater Baton Rouge markets for the past three decades, leading on choice and access and working to continually improve broadband for all customers," said Jacqui Vines, senior vice president and region manager for Cox Southeast Region. "We will continue to invest in our local network and our product capabilities to help our customers connect to the things they care about most."

With speeds as fast as 1,000 megabits per second, residential gigabit speeds from Cox also will deliver a more powerful home network and rich broadband-enabled services to customers.

"We explored all of the technology providers in Louisiana and after careful consideration chose Cox.  Today's announcement confirms that Cox is the leading technology company in our state.  We are delighted to be among the first installations for G1GABLAST service," said Landry.

Also today, Cox announced that customers who choose its Ultimate Internet package will see their speeds increase later this summer. Those customers will see their speeds jump from 150 megabits per second to 200 megabits per second.  Committed to offering access and choice, Cox has increased broadband speeds more than 1,000 percent over the past 14 years.

"We applaud Cox for the commitment to innovation evidenced by its continuous improvements to infrastructure in the Baton Rouge region," said Adam Knapp, president and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC). "Making technology and connectivity more readily accessible to residential customers – as it has to business customers – is sound business sense."

In the last 10 years, Cox has invested more than $15 billion in its communities through infrastructure upgrades to deliver video, phone and high-speed Internet and home security and automation service to homes and businesses in the company's service area. Additionally, the company gives tens of millions of dollars annually in cash and in-kind contributions to support the communities in which it operates.

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and home security and automation services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves approximately 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and digital media advertising. Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For eight years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications; Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity 10 times, including the last nine years. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.

About Americana Traditional Neighborhood Development

Americana is a mixed use Traditional Neighborhood Development with residential, office, commercial and civic spaces on a rolling 413.70 acre site. Situated in Zachary Louisiana, Americana is situated within the Zachary School District which has been awarded the Number 1 public school district in Louisiana for the last 10 years.  Americana was master planned by nationally recognized land planner, Steve Oubre.  The community will be constructed in multiple phases and will ultimately consist of over $600 million of construction value.  At the heart of Americana is the new 26,000 square-foot Americana YMCA boasting a fitness center, aerobics room and community meeting room. The commercial component of Americana is being developed by Commercial Properties Realty Trust.  Walk-On's Bistreaux & Bar, voted "Best Sports Bar in North America" by ESPN, will be opening in Americana in the first quarter of 2016.  Provident Resources Group will start construction on a $20 million senior living project in the fall of 2015. www.americanazachary.com

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SOURCE Cox Communications