November 16, 2016
Comcast will invest more than $30 million to expand its fiber-based Ethernet network across Philadelphia, an effort expected to directly impact some 3,000 businesses in Center City and University City.
The expansion will deploy more than 50 miles of new fiber optic cable, encompassing the city's two largest business districts.
Comcast Business officials announced the "major expansion" Wednesday morning, saying the network will support advanced services and give Comcast the ability to bring new customers online faster. The network is capable of delivering up to 100 Gigabits per second.
Comcast Business, a subsidiary of Comcast Cable, provides Ethernet, Internet, Wi-Fi, Voice, TV and Managed Enterprise Solutions to schools, hospitals and businesses that require large amounts of bandwidth.
David Dombroski, regional vice president for Comcast Business, called the expansion one of Comcast's most innovative to date. Comcast officials pledged it will make the network more affordable and accessible to "tens of thousands."
"As demand in Philadelphia for our high-performance Ethernet offerings continues to soar, Comcast Business recognizes the need to respond quickly to new businesses to provide scalable solutions that can meet demand as they grow."
Mayor Jim Kenney and Rob Wonderling, the chief executive officer of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, praised the expansion for giving city businesses a competitive advantage.
