Comcast to invest $6 million to deliver high-speed internet access and full suite of Xfinity services to 3,000 underserved residents and businesses in Etowah and Cherokee Counties
In partnership with the State of Alabama and Governor Kay Ivey, Comcast today announced it will expand its broadband network to thousands of residents, businesses, and local municipalities in Etowah and Cherokee Counties in Alabama.
Comcast has been awarded more than $6 million in grants for the Northeastern Alabama expansion, through the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund, which is administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). Through this investment and Comcast funding of over $6.3 million, Comcast will deliver high-speed internet and its full suite of Xfinity and Comcast Business services to more than 3,000 underserved residents and businesses in Etowah and Cherokee Counties.
“Today is an exciting day for Northeastern Alabama,” says Sen. Andrew Jones. “Through this partnership with Comcast and the State of Alabama, thousands of additional residents and businesses are going to finally have access to internet.”
“Now more than ever, staying connected is crucial, particularly for those in rural communities,” said Jason Gumbs, Comcast Region SVP. “We have been working hard to bring our services to more residents and businesses across Alabama as quickly as possible. We are honored to be part of this critical project and proud to connect more North Alabama residents to the power of Comcast’s advanced broadband services.”
Over the last two years, Comcast has successfully expanded its network to such places as Dauphin Island, Colbert County, Madison County, and Mobile County, connecting thousands of new Alabamians to the internet.
In addition to Comcast’s traditional services, residential customers in the expanded areas will have access to the following Xfinity services:
- Xfinity xFi, allowing high-speed Internet customers to personalize and control their in-home Wi-Fi experience;
- Xfinity Flex, a simplified streaming solution for Xfinity Internet customers who do not want traditional TV video service;
- The X1 entertainment platform and voice remote; and
- Xfinity Home, a total home security and automation solution
Businesses in the expanded areas will also have access to a full suite of Comcast Business internet, voice, and video services.
This expansion will also provide families with access to Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, the nation’s largest and most successful broadband adoption initiative for low-income families. Internet Essentials provides low-cost broadband service for $9.95 a month, digital literacy training and discounted computers.
Comcast is also offering free and discounted internet and mobile options through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). ACP provides eligible low-income households a credit up to $30 a month toward the cost of Internet and mobile services ($75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands). Comcast is making ACP credits available for all of the company’s Xfinity Internet speed tiers, including Internet Essentials. For more information, visit www.Xfinity.com/free or call 1-800-Comcast.
Nationally, over the past five years and across Comcast’s service area, the company has quadrupled its overall network capacity and doubled its fiber miles; deployed gigabit speeds to more homes than any other Internet Service Provider; upgraded all of its speed tiers; and rolled out an entirely new class of gateways – the xFi Gateway and the xFi Advanced Gateway – which are designed for higher speeds and blanket most homes with Wi-Fi coverage.