Comcast announced it is expanding its high-speed internet service to homes and businesses in an unserved area in Bainbridge Township.
The area is near Hwy M-140 and Pipestone Lake. The project was a collaborative effort with Bainbridge Township and Berrien County.
“Reliable, high-speed connectivity is vital for any community’s quality of life, including our township,” said Andrew Gardiner, Bainbridge Township supervisor, in a press release. “Comcast’s continued investment in connecting our community is appreciated and will directly benefit our residents and businesses.”
The expansion follows Comcast’s network investment of more than $880 million in Michigan over the last three years.
“Access to broadband is not only an essential service, but a gateway to opportunities,” Teri Freehling, Berrien County commissioner and chair of the county’s broadband internet task force, said. “Because of public-private partnerships like this, previously unserved residents and businesses in our county will now be empowered with a connection to our ever-increasing digital world.”
Eligible Berrien County residents can get online through the company’s Internet Essentials program. The low-cost internet service is available to low-income households. The program has helped 1.26 million Michigan residents connect to the internet at home since it launched in 2011.
“Comcast is proud to connect more Berrien County residents and businesses to the power of the internet,” Chris Smith, Comcast regional senior vice president, said.
The internet company has more than 2,300 miles of fiber network infrastructure and 65,000 WiFi hotspots across southwest Michigan.
Comcast has invested more than $20 billion in the last five years to grow its network nationwide. The company plans to bring its network to more under- and unserved communities through private funding and state and local partnerships.
