A small rural area of Merced County is receiving a major high-speed broadband investment.
Comcast announced that it is bringing its services to Planada, to go along with $100,000 in donations to local nonprofits.
The big picture: Comcast is investing $4.5 million to bring its next-generation high-speed broadband to Planada.
- Planada residents will soon have access to Comcast’s Xfinity 10G Network.
- Comcast says its expansion to Planda, which follows a similar expansion to Fresno County’s Biola last year, is an effort to create greater digital equity.
Go deeper: Comcast also donated $75,000 to United Way of Merced to assist storm relief efforts and $25,000 to the San Joaquin Regional Broadband Consortium to support digital equity efforts.
- Along with the donations, Comcast gifted about 100 graduating 8th graders from Planada’s Cesar Chavez Middle School with free laptops and school supplies.
State of play: Comcast’s internet services will start at $9.95 per month for Planada residents.
- Residents who sign up for the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program, which offers a $30 per month subsidy, would receive the internet services for free.
What they’re saying: Merced County Supervisor Rodrigo Espinosa said Comcast’s investment will contribute to the county’s rural economic development efforts.
- “We all know the need for fast, secure internet service is more important now than it has ever been, and I’m grateful to companies like Comcast who are making these investments in our community to create lasting change and impact,” Espinosa said in a statement.
- Planada School District Superintendent Jose Gonzalez thanked Comcast for investing in the district’s students to provide the necessary tools and resources they need for their educational future.
- “As the world we live in continues to become more digital than ever before, we must work with our businesses and community partners like Comcast to make sure all communities – especially our rural communities like Planada – are connected to the growing digital economy,” Gonzalez said in a statement.
