Comcast Connecting Homes and Businesses in Ouachita Parish to Reliable, High-Speed Internet 

Network Expansion Brings Increased Xfinity and Comcast Business Services to Residents and Businesses 

To Commemorate the Expansion, Comcast Hosted a “Digital Expansion Rally,” Surprising 430 Students with Free Laptops and Opening New WiFi-connected Lift Zone 

November 21, 2024 – Comcast is working to connect more than 1,000 new homes and businesses in Ouachita Parish, LA to reliable, high-speed Internet by expanding its network to the region, enhancing digital infrastructure, promoting economic growth, and positioning residents and local businesses for success in an increasingly digital world. The network expansion brings Internet, mobile and security services from Xfinity and Comcast Business to residents and businesses for the first time. 

The project is made possible in part by a $1.9 million grant from Louisiana’s Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities (GUMBO) program, administered by the Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity. 

To commemorate the expansion, Comcast hosted a three-part “Digital Expansion Rally” in Ouachita Parish. During the first event, Comcast officials, along with state and local leaders, surprised 430 Central Elementary School students with free laptops, helping to close the digital divide and provide them access to the digital world. 

“Seeing our kids’ faces light up when they realized they were receiving laptops was a moment I will never forget. It’s never too early to learn digital skills, so I thank Comcast for their investment in our students.” 

Deborah Hamby, Principal, Central Elementary School 

Later in the day, Comcast held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its newest Xfinity WiFi-connected “Lift Zone” at the Calhoun Civic Club. Lift Zones provide internet connectivity at community centers and other public facilities allowing students to get online, participate in distance learning and do their homework. The sites also benefit adults, connecting them to online education, job searches, healthcare information and public assistance. Comcast has launched more than 1,400 Lift Zones nationally with local community partners. 

Additionally, Comcast presented a $10,000 grant to the club to advance digital skills training. The grant and Digital Expansion Rally are part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion initiative to advance digital opportunity and economic mobility. 

“Comcast’s new Lift Zone at our club will give residents free, fast and reliable access to critical digital resources,” said Joey Howard, Interim President of Calhoun Civic Club. “We’re thankful for Comcast’s investment in our community and can’t wait for digital skills trainings to begin.” 

To conclude the Digital Expansion Rally, Comcast hosted a parent meeting at Central Elementary School and treated attendees to snow cones. Comcast also gave a presentation on Internet Essentials, the nation’s largest broadband adoption initiative for income-constrained families. Internet Essentials provides low-cost broadband service, digital literacy training and discounted computers. 

“Comcast maintains an unwavering commitment to addressing the barriers to broadband adoption across the neighborhoods we serve. We thank the Ouachita Parish community for their partnership on the Digital Expansion Rally and look forward to supporting the parish for years to come.” 

Mike McArdle, Regional Senior Vice President, Comcast Big South 

A Network You Can Trust to be Reliable, Fast and Secure 

Comcast’s state-of-the-art network is built to enable residents and businesses to thrive in today’s connected world. Ouachita Parish joins the more than 63 million homes and businesses across the country to have access to a network that is trusted by essential community organizations like hospitals, schools, transportation systems and first responders, and federal agencies like the Department of Defense and FEMA. It delivers multi-gigabit Internet speeds, 99.9 percent reliability and security built from the ground up to keep customers safe from cyber threats.  

Introducing Xfinity for Consumers 

Comcast’s residential services are marketed under the Xfinity and NOW brands and consumers in Ouachita Parish can take advantage of Xfinity’s and NOW’s full suite of products, including Internet, video, mobile, voice and home security. With multi-gigabit Internet speeds, powerful WiFi able to reach every corner of the home, and super-responsive connections with low lag available with its plan, customers have a great experience using their connected devices to stream their favorite sports and entertainment content, video chat with coworkers and friends, learn from home or simply surf the web.  

Comcast Business to Power Ouachita Parish’s Workforce 

For local businesses, Comcast Business offers a suite of connectivity, communications, networking, cybersecurity, wireless, and managed solutions to help organizations of all sizes achieve their business goals. Industry analysts and associations have consistently recognized Comcast Business as a leader and innovator in flexible, scalable options as well as one of the fastest-growing providers of Ethernet services. 

“Comcast is a vital partner in bridging the digital divide in communities across Louisiana,” said Veneeth Iyengar, Executive Director of ConnectLA. “This broadband expansion, laptop donation and Lift Zone opening is a gamechanger for the students, residents and businesses in Ouachita Parish, and I’m confident this will have a meaningful long-term impact and greatly improve the quality of life in the community.” 

What it Means for the Ouachita Parish Community 

Comcast’s commitment to communities goes beyond building the network and aims to increase economic mobility for the local community and its residents. Over the past three years, Comcast has invested $559,000 in cash and in-kind donations into La. nonprofits focused on helping people build digital skills, expanding Lift Zones, and funding connectivity and Internet adoption programs. 

“I was pleased to join the Ouachita Parish community in celebrating Comcast’s broadband expansion to the parish at Digital Expansion Rally,” said Larry Bratton of the Ouachita Parish Police Jury. “Comcast’s presence will specifically ensure opportunities for growth in the business community, empowering entrepreneurs to stay connected in an increasingly digital landscape.”