Delaware's Connected Future

BY DAN BONELLI AND RAY ROUNDTREE

AT COMCAST, we understand the critical role a secure and reliable Internet network plays in community development. In today’s digital age, fast and reliable Internet access is a must-have to help residents, businesses, and community organizations stay connected to loved ones, take advantage of online educational and telehealth opportunities, and serve local customers.

Comcast operates the nation’s smartest and most reliable converged network. Through Xfinity and Comcast Business, we deliver world-class Internet, mobile, and entertainment experiences that delight customers with technology that powers the future. Our commitment to Delaware is strong, serving all three counties and investing more than $508 million in the last three years through capital expenditures, employee wages and benefits, taxes and fees, and nonprofit contributions.

Trusted by mission-critical organizations — including healthcare systems and universities in Delaware — Comcast’s network powers essential community resources and businesses large and small. More than 400,000 homes and businesses in Delaware have access to Xfinity and Comcast Business services, and we’ve recently expanded our network to reach new residents and businesses in places like Bridgeville, Bethany Beach, Georgetown, Middletown, Ocean View, and Smyrna.

As Internet usage continues to skyrocket, Comcast’s network continues to get smarter, faster, and more reliable to meet increasing customer demand for speed and capacity. That means enough capacity to handle more streaming, gaming, AI, and cloud applications.

We continuously invest in and innovate our network to keep it resilient, secure, and future-ready. Over the last 10 years, we have invested $80 billion nationally in our network and infrastructure. Our fiber-rich network delivers gig-speed connectivity across our Delaware footprint and across the country — and we continue our journey to roll out multi-gig symmetrical speeds over existing connections in homes today.

SECURITY

While there has been a 300% increase in cyberattacks since 2020, Comcast builds security into every layer of our network and products, protecting connected devices automatically.

We have thousands of cybersecurity analysts and engineers working to block tens of billions of cyberattacks every year.

COMMUNITY IMPACT

Comcast is committed to creating positive change through Project UP, our $1 billion commitment to advance digital opportunity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities. This includes partnerships with organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware, which we recently awarded a $20,000 grant to support local youth with digital skills training and career development programs.

In addition to monetary grants, Delaware residents also benefit from access to more than 10 Lift Zones across the state. Lift Zones provide a robust — and free — Wi-Fi solution in neighborhood locations like nonprofit organizations, community centers, and parks and recreation facilities.

In the last 10 years, we have connected more than 158,000 Delaware residents (and more than 10 million people nationally) to home Internet service through Internet Essentials, our affordable, high-speed offering for low-income families.

POWERING PROGRESS IN DELAWARE

We are dedicated to delivering connectivity to more Delaware individuals, families, and businesses through our smart, reliable network, innovative products and services, and effective public-private partnerships. For example, in 2023, we partnered with Delaware to expand our network to 2,600 previously unserved homes and businesses in rural parts of Sussex County — a project that was completed on time and on budget.

By empowering Delaware with the tools and resources necessary to succeed in today’s digital world, we’re building a stronger, more connected future for all communities across the First State.

Dan Bonelli is the regional senior vice president of Comcast’s Freedom Region and Ray Roundtree is the regional senior vice president of Comcast’s Beltway Region.