Mar 31 2010
Comcast, Vermont's leading provider of entertainment, information and communications, today announced that it has completed a 300-mile network expansion in Vermont, bringing more than 6,000 additional homes and businesses in 25 communities access to the cost savings, innovative features and reliability of Comcast's digital TV, high-speed Internet and voice services.
Four of the communities – South Hero, Grand Isle, North Hero and Brookline – had not previously had access to Comcast's advanced broadband services prior to the extension of the company's fiber-optic network. With the recent additions, Comcast has extended its fiber-optic network by more than 1,200 miles since arriving in Vermont in 2006.
"Ensuring that all Vermonters have access to reliable, high-speed internet connections is a top priority of mine and an economic imperative for our state," said Vermont Governor Jim Douglas. "That's why I proposed the e-State initiative in 2007 and have worked with the Legislature to expand broadband across our state. Comcast is an important partner in this effort and I am delighted that they are moving forward with plans to provide their services to more Vermont communities."
"We are so proud to deliver on our promise to expand our advanced fiber-optic network to areas of Vermont that previously had no access to broadband," said Pam Mackenzie, Area Vice President for Comcast in Vermont. "This extension of our network allows more and more residents and businesses to take advantage of our cutting-edge products and services and further expands our community commitment to bring broadband access to Vermont schools, libraries and Boys & Girls Clubs."
In September 2009, Comcast began a massive 170-mile extension of its advanced fiber-optic network in the Lake Champlain Islands, marking the introduction of broadband for over 3,700 consumers and local businesses in South Hero, Grand Isle and North Hero. Additionally, Comcast has built out its network by approximately 20 miles in Brookline, offering service to approximately 275 residents and businesses that previously did not have access to the company's products and services. Comcast also extended its network by 110 more miles within 21 other towns that the company previously served. Those towns include Berlin, Colchester, Derby, Fairfax, Huntington, Hyde Park, Jericho, Manchester, Milton, Moretown, Morgan, Norwich, Pownal, Rockingham, Underhill, Waterbury, West Rutland, Westford, Westminster, Windsor and Woodford.
Until recently, many residents and businesses in the communities benefiting from these network extensions depended solely on copper-wire phone service, dial-up Internet and one-way satellite TV service, which cannot compete with Comcast's Internet speeds, match the clarity of Comcast's High Definition picture or deliver Comcast's unique On Demand programming. Consumers in these communities can now take advantage of the convenience and monthly savings of Comcast's bundled packages, featuring Comcast Digital Cable, Comcast High-Speed Internet and Comcast Digital Voice. And, for the first time, local businesses now have access to Comcast's fiber-optic network and its Business Class services that feature cutting-edge communications technologies, including Business Class Internet, Business Class Voice and Business Class TV.
Because Comcast provides complimentary broadband services to schools, libraries and Boys & Girls Clubs in Vermont, its investments in education and youth development will also increase in Vermont with this significant network expansion.