Comcast Corp - CMCSA STOCK NEWS

Comcast expands support for the Washington K-12 Internet Access Program, enabling over 50,000 low-income student households across 75 school districts to access its Internet Essentials service, offering high-speed broadband (25/3 Mbps) for the remainder of the 2020/2021 school year. The initiative has seen 39 additional districts joining since its launch on Oct. 1, adding 15,000 more eligible students. This program is funded by the federal CARES Act, providing vital connectivity for students amid ongoing remote learning.

On October 22, 2020, Coded By Kids launched the OnE Philadelphia initiative with nearly $1 million invested by Bank of America, Comcast NBCUniversal, and the Lenfest Foundation. The initiative aims to enhance diversity and inclusion in tech for communities of color in Philadelphia by offering integrated tech education and skill development. It focuses on creating a supportive ecosystem for high-growth careers and altering perceptions of tech among underrepresented Philadelphians. Bank of America is contributing $10 million from its $1 billion commitment to economic mobility.

Comcast Business has partnered with Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, to launch the Comcast Business Teleworker VPN. This solution is designed to provide secure, high-performance remote access for corporate networks, addressing the growing need for effective remote workforces. According to a Nemertes Research study, 70% of companies intend to continue teleworking strategies post-pandemic, yet 30% face challenges in managing remote connections. The VPN, combined with Comcast's Teleworker Broadband, offers a dedicated internet connection ensuring productivity and security for home-based employees.

FreeWheel, a Comcast Company (CMCSA), released its U.S. Video Marketplace Report, highlighting significant viewership trends during the first half of 2020. The report indicates a 32% increase in premium video ad views compared to last year, driven by a 17% rise in video views. Notably, 73% of ad views were on set-top boxes and connected TVs, with CTV views up by 42%. Live viewing also surged by 38%, indicating consumer preference for linear-like experiences, even amid a lack of sports. The findings emphasize the resilience and growing popularity of premium video content.

Comcast is investing $15 million to enhance its internet infrastructure in Modesto, aiming to provide up to 10 Gbps Ethernet speeds to 2,000 businesses in the area. This project is designed to meet the increasing bandwidth demands of local organizations, facilitating connectivity between sites and data centers. Comcast's Vice President highlighted Modesto’s growth, stating this advancement will position the city at the forefront of internet connectivity. Local officials support the initiative, emphasizing its potential to fuel economic growth and create jobs.

Comcast announced an expansion of its Xfinity Mobile 5G coverage across the U.S. starting October 14. The nationwide 5G network will be accessible through all Xfinity Mobile data options at no additional cost. Customers can choose between By-the-Gig data options starting at $15 for 1GB or Unlimited for $45 per month. Xfinity Mobile is highlighted as having the lowest 5G entry price in the market. Customers will also benefit from the flexibility to switch between data options during their billing cycle while enjoying rated #1 in customer satisfaction.

Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA) launched the Comcast RISE initiative to support small businesses affected by COVID-19. Over the next three years, the program aims to assist thousands of small businesses, offering grants, marketing, technology upgrades, and free marketing insights. Black-owned businesses will be prioritized initially, followed by the inclusion of BIPOC businesses. Comcast RISE forms part of a larger $100 million Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative aimed at combating inequality and providing essential resources to help these businesses thrive after the pandemic.

Comcast California announced a donation of $350,000 to Opportunity Fund aimed at supporting BIPOC-owned small businesses through microloans and services. This initiative addresses the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on these communities, which saw substantial business closures. Comcast plans to produce public service announcements to promote this fund. Opportunity Fund has been assisting small businesses with microloans for over 25 years and aims to drive economic mobility against systemic inequities.

Comcast has achieved a significant milestone by delivering 1.25 Gbps upload and download speeds using advanced technology over a live production network in Jacksonville, Florida. This achievement relies on a Distributed Access Architecture (DAA) and the latest DOCSIS technology, allowing for scalable multi-gigabit speeds. Comcast aims to enhance customer experience with future-ready internet capabilities, reinforcing its position as a leader in network virtualization. The trial not only demonstrates current capabilities but also sets the stage for future 10G initiatives, expanding access to high-speed internet.