If we have learned anything from our COVID-19 work-from-home experience, it\u2019s that a home office is only as effective as its internet connection.<\/p>\n
\u201cCOVID-19 has shined an even bigger light on how important it is to have a robust and healthy internet connection,\u201d said Andy Davis, director of government affairs for Comcast Colorado. \u201cWe have certainly heard from the communities of Eagle and Gypsum that this was an important problem to them before COVID-19 and it is even more important after COVID -19. It will be an important part of their recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before the pandemic hit, Comcast had already planned its expansion into the downvalley communities. Today, Comcast crews are at work in both towns, laying fiber-optic cable for what the company calls its \u201clast mile connection.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bryan Thomas, Comcast\u2019s vice president of engineering who is based in Denver, said the work now underway will provide customers in both towns with the full suite of company products \u2014 broadband, video, voice, home\u00a0management, and business products and services.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a great investment in these communities,\u201d Thomas noted. \u201cHow we utilize fiber is it allows us to transmit a significant amount of data.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the Frequently Asked Questions section of Comcast\u2019s Eagle<\/a> and Gypsum <\/a> project webpages, \u201cResidents\u2019\u00a0homes will\u00a0have access to\u00a0gigabit speeds, wall-to-wall\u00a0WiFi\u00a0\u2014\u00a0personalized with tools and controls\u00a0\u2014\u00a0a dedicated privacy center and enough capacity to stay ahead of tomorrow\u2019s innovations. Local businesses will be\u00a0powered by the nation\u2019s largest gig-speed network and backed by 24\/7 customer support.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur philosophy is to built it once and built it for the future,\u201d Thomas said.<\/p>\n He noted that the Comcast system will offer high speed and high volume internet connection and reliable customer service. \u201cThere are times we are responding to incidents before the customer even realize it,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n The increase in use that happened when workers switched to home offices didn\u2019t disrupt the Comcast system, Thomas said.<\/p>\n \u201cOur network is healthy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n But before crews can hook up to that network, the company needs to lay the cable. That\u2019s what\u2019s happening right now in the streets around Eagle and Gypsum.<\/p>\n This spring, Comcast began the 18-month\u00a0phased\u00a0engineering and construction project to bring\u00a0its\u00a0fiber-optic network into\u00a0Gypsum and Eagle. The project involves a combination of construction in the public\u00a0right-of-way and easements, installation of new equipment, and connection of the network system. This work actually extends the cable to the last mile, bringing connection points within reach of individual homes.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat that means is we have big equipment out there,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cWe want to make sure we are a least disruptive as possible. Our mission is to go in and build our network and then leave everything like we were never there.\u201d<\/p>\n Construction is happening in phases and Eagle and Gypsum residents can follow the company\u2019s progress on websites set up for each community. By early fall, the company hopes to begin offering service and the project is slated for completion in 2021. The Comcast representatives said they have heard from businesses and residents anxious for the service to start.<\/p>\n \u201cWe realize that the communities of Eagle and Gypsum need and want high speed data connection and reliable service,\u201d said Leslie Oliver, director of media and external communicaitons for Comcast. \u201cWe want to bring that service to those communities.<\/p>\n On the subject of cost, Oliver said Comcast offers a wide array of services and prices can vary greatly depending on individual packages. She added the company also provides low income, low-cost internet service. That service is just $9.99 per month for qualifying customers,\u201d Oliver said.<\/p>\n As the network is assembled, Comcast representatives are reaching out to chambers of commerce, homeowners associations and other community groups to present their project.<\/p>\n \u201cThis has been an area of Colorado that we have wanted to address for a long time and it\u2019s only been over the last couple of years that we have been able to make it happen,\u201d Davis said. \u201cWe offer incredible technology and a huge focus on the customer experience. We think we are going to be people\u2019s best option.\u201d<\/p>\nLast mile<\/h2>\n