AT&T rolls out 1-gig Internet service in parts of Triangle

AT&T is finally rolling out its 1-gigabit, high-speed Internet service in undisclosed neighborhoods of the Triangle, including Raleigh and Chapel Hill.

The telecommunications company announced its $120-a-month service Monday as part of an agreement, announced 8 months ago, with the towns and universities that make up the N.C. Next Generation Network.

AT&T is not saying precisely where its new GigaPower service is available in Carrboro, Cary, Chapel Hill, Raleigh and Winston-Salem.

GigaPower is offered to households and businesses that have access to AT&T's U-verse phone/Internet/TV service, but to keep rival TimeWarner from stealing customers, AT&T doesn't advertise which neighborhoods get U-verse.

Residents can find out where U-verse is available by calling customer service or checking online for availability for a specific address.

The 1-gig speed is about 20 times faster than conventional Internet speeds, and according to AT&T, it will let users download 25 songs in less than a second, and an HD movie in less than 36 seconds.

Monday's announcement marks the first locations in North Carolina to get AT&T's GigaPower. AT&T plans to expand to Charlotte, Durham and Greensboro, providing U-verse in Durham for the first time. U-verse has been available in parts of North Carolina since November 2008.

GigaPower is also available in parts of Texas and is planned in Atlanta, Illinois, Cupertino, Houston and other large metro areas.

This story was originally published December 8, 2014 at 2:49 PM with the headline "AT&T rolls out 1-gig Internet service in parts of Triangle."