We’re proud to continue our dedication to investing in broadband expansion and bringing high-speed Internet resources to communities across our state. Building on that mission, this week we announced a new partnership with the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, bringing services to 600 homes and businesses located in and around the Tribe’s community campus. This $3 million investment supports underserved areas in the Muckleshoot community and provides it with the entire suite of Xfinity and Comcast Business services.
Through this partnership, Comcast is helping to address digital equity and connectivity issues in this area by bringing much-needed Internet and technology resources to this community.
“Bringing expanded and reliable high-speed Internet service to the Muckleshoot Community has long been a priority for the Tribal Council and we are pleased that, working with Comcast, we were able to bring this project to a successful conclusion,” said Muckleshoot Tribal Council Chair Jaison Elkins.
The vast majority of homes and businesses now have service, and full deployment is expected in the next few months. Residents in this area can access the entire Xfinity product suite, including Internet Essentials, the largest and most comprehensive low-cost Internet adoption program for low-income Americans. Since 2011, it has connected 140,000 low-income households statewide, many for the first time. Businesses will have access to the full suite of Comcast Business Internet, voice, and video services, including WiFi, Voice, TV, and managed enterprise solutions for businesses of all sizes.
Comcast also received positive feedback from local officials in the area dedicated on providing more equitable access to Internet resources to key communities across the State of Washington:
“Native communities have made do with inadequate Internet access for decades, and this issue has only worsened in the current pandemic. In the digital world we now live in, families everywhere are reliant on a steady Internet connection to work from home, attend online classes, or even meet with their doctor. I applaud the investment by the Muckleshoot Tribe and Comcast to serve residents living in and around the Tribe’s Community Campus in King County. We have a lot of work ahead of us to close the digital divide on all fronts. This is a great first step,” said Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08).
“Connectivity matters right now more than ever for students and families, and I welcome the investment from Comcast and the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe to expand broadband service in King County,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “I applaud partnerships that help close the digital divide in our underserved communities, so students can do their schoolwork, and everyone has access to healthcare and other online services.”
Overall, our company is laser-focused on helping to connect the unconnected communities and groups across Washington state. We have invested approximately $2 billion in network technology and infrastructure statewide in the past six years, and in 2020 more than $988.8 million in capital expenditures, taxes and fees, charitable giving, and employee wages and benefits – all of which help to address this critical need.
“This network expansion with the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is the latest example of the investment we’re making to broaden the reach of our broadband service in Washington state,” said Rodrigo Lopez, Region Senior Vice President, Comcast Washington. “Last month we announced plans to invest $9.4 million to expand service to more than 2,100 homes in rural areas of Snohomish and Spokane Counties over the next two years.”
We look forward to growing our services and work with the Muckleshoot Tribe and finding more ways to ensure everyone in our service area has access to the Internet and technology they need to succeed in today’s digital economy.
