Comcast Business (NASDAQ: CMCSA) is deepening its fiber network presence in the California market, announcing that it has invested over $350,000 to bring its facilities to the Meyers Business Park in Chico.
To complete this network extension, the service provider installed over three and half miles of fiber through underground conduit and aerial poles from its existing lines to the business park and the 166 business residents.
Area businesses will be able to access Comcast's growing portfolio of Ethernet services, including Ethernet Dedicated Internet, Ethernet Private Line, Ethernet Virtual Private Line and Ethernet Network Services that provide Internet access, point-to-point, and point-to-multipoint connectivity at bandwidth that scales up to 10 Gbps.
In addition, businesses will be able to use Comcast Business VoiceEdge, a cloud-based voice and unified communications platform.
By extending its fiber network into another large business park, Comcast can more effectively control its existing and new customers' destiny particularly as it delivers Ethernet services.
Chico, Calif., is just one of several areas where Comcast Business has been expanding its fiber and Ethernet presence. The service provider has made similar builds in California's East Bay region, Denver and New London County, Conn.
The effort to enhance its fiber reach has been a major factor in the cable MSO's rise on Vertical Systems Group's Ethernet Leaderboard where it currently holds a sixth place position under rival Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC). However, Comcast's presence in the Ethernet market will be challenged if Charter successfully completes its acquisitions of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks.
Regardless of the competitive challenges it will face in the coming year, business services overall continue be a key growth factor for the cable MSO.
During the second quarter, Comcast Business services revenues rose 20.4 percent, to $1.2 billion. It said has reached a 25 percent penetration rate in small businesses, and is approaching 10 percent for mid-sized businesses.
For more:
- see the release
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