Major Internet Upgrade and Expansion Planned This Year in Washington State

SPONSORED – Comcast is investing $280 million this year to offer multi-gigabit Internet speeds to more than four million locations, expanding the availability of broadband and video services to more homes and businesses, and providing donations and in-kind services to communities throughout Oregon and Washington.

Network Investment and Expansion

Comcast is expanding fiber-rich network improvements that will offer Washington customers upload speeds up to 10 times faster than they currently have. And the network upgrade will extend throughout Comcast’s service area throughout the state. Once complete, these locations will have the foundational next-generation network in place to introduce new multi-gigabit Internet options.

The first phase of network enhancements is happening now and initially will offer a maximum download speed of 2 Gbps, combined with upload speeds up to 200 Mbps, which is five to 10 times faster than Comcast’s existing upload speeds. Comcast expects that 40% of the company’s network in Washington will offer multi-gig Internet speeds by the end of 2023.

Comcast will also expand its network to deliver Xfinity Internet and TV services and Comcast Business Internet services to more than 60,000 additional homes and businesses, including the rural communities of Battleground, Chattaroy, Key Peninsula and Sumas in Washington.

The network expansion is the latest example of Comcast’s investment to connect more households and businesses in the Pacific Northwest to its Internet services that deliver fast speeds, more reliability, broader coverage in the home, and greater capacity to support customers’ growing Internet usage. Comcast expanded service to more than 35,000 additional homes and businesses last year in Washington. Further, the company has invested $1 billion in technology and infrastructure investments in Washington during the previous three years, including network expansion and upgrades.

Community Investment

The $280 million investment by Comcast this year will also fund contributions, foundation grants, free Internet connectivity, employee volunteerism and giving campaigns, broadcast services, laptop donations, and more to make a positive impact in communities throughout Washington. Throughout the year, the company will collaborate with non-profit partners, including Boys & Girls Clubs, Goodwill, Urban League, YWCA, and others to advance digital equity and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The funding will also support ongoing efforts to build awareness about connectivity programs like Internet Essentials and the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which offers eligible households up to $30/month credit, or up to $75 for households on tribal lands, for home Internet. Comcast proudly participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program and offers Internet Essentials Plus, a $29.95/month home Internet service that is effectively free for eligible households, once the ACP credit is applied. Interested customers can visit Xfinity.com/ACP or call 1-800-Xfinity to learn more about this program and determine if they qualify.

“The Washington State Broadband Office is pleased that Comcast is expanding its service to numerous locations in Washington that have previously been without needed broadband service,” said Mark Vasconi, Washington State Broadband Office Director. “Not only is Comcast providing expanded access, but they are also partnering with non-profits to provide training and devices that assist people in using broadband services. The company’s investments and collaboration with community partners are essential to ensuring that broadband service is a reality for residents and businesses in Washington.”

“Our investment is helping to build a network of the future and get more rural communities in Washington connected to the Internet,” said Rodrigo Lopez, Senior Regional Vice President of Comcast’s Pacific Northwest Region. “In addition to delivering the network of tomorrow and more broadband in more places, we are also investing in advancing digital equity and helping build a future of unlimited possibilities in the Pacific Northwest.”

For more information about Comcast in Washington, visit https://washington.comcast.com/.