Comcast Wins Red Dot Design Award for XiOne, Its First Global Streaming Device, and New Voice Remote

Month: March 2022

Comcast Wins Red Dot Design Award for XiOne, Its First Global Streaming Device, and New Voice Remote

March 31, 2022

Comcast today announced XiOne, the company’s first global wireless streaming device, and the accompanying voice remote won the prestigious Red Dot Award for Product Design 2022.

This honor is awarded by an international jury to products that demonstrate outstanding design each year.

Built on Comcast’s global technology platform the XiOne was designed and developed with the flexibility to be used across Comcast’s global operations, including Xfinity, Sky, and its syndication partners. In the United States, the XiOne is currently being offered to Xfinity Flex customers and includes a new voice remote designed with excellent ergonomics, premium finishes, and a low center of gravity that fits comfortably in our customer’s hand. The XiOne is also being used across Sky operations in the UK and Europe.

With faster processing and more memory, the XiOne supports all the ways in which customers consume live and on demand video. Its soft, discreet form factor blends into the home without detracting from the TV-viewing experience, and supports the latest technologies including WiFi 6, 4K UHD, HDR, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos.

“Delivering amazing connectivity and entertainment experiences requires making products that customers want to use. I’m thrilled to see our world-class design team recognized for their expert blending of form and function,” said Fraser Stirling, Global Chief Product Officer for Comcast and Sky. “We thank the Red Dot jury for recognizing our products for design that is thoughtful, flexible, and built with premium hardware that can be enjoyed by customers across the globe.”

The Comcast creative and design team have focused on delivering product designs that support the cleaning, repair, and testing of devices to extend their life beyond single use and away from landfill.

“Our team is committed to designing experiences that are simple, intuitive and make our customers’ lives better,” said Tom Loretan, Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer at Comcast Cable. “I’m deeply thankful to the Red Dot team for recognizing how that approach shaped the first product built on our global technology platform for all of our customers across Comcast’s Xfinity and Sky operations, and our syndication partners.”

XiOne is the latest technology developed by Comcast that leverages its global technology platform, bringing the best hardware, software, voice technology and aggregated search and discovery to the company’s suite of entertainment and connectivity products. Comcast’s range of devices across Xfinity, Sky and its syndication partners provide incredible experiences that connect, protect, and entertain customers around the world.

Source: Comcast

Cable One JV Clearwave wants to hit 500K rural homes with fiber by 2027

March 23, 2022

Clearwave Fiber, a joint venture formed by operator Cable One and a handful of partners in January, is looking to make a big impact in small towns, targeting fiber rollouts to half a million rural locations by 2027. It is mostly aiming for organic growth but also has its eye out for strategic acquisitions and in fact already struck a deal to buy a small Kansas-based fiber provider, Midwest President Byron Cantrall told Fierce.

According to Cantrall, Clearwave plans to hit its expansion goal through a 70/30 mix of densification in existing markets and edge outs to greenfield areas outside its current footprint. The former will include work in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and South Carolina, while the latter could see it reach into parts of Arkansas, Tennessee and Indiana.

“The specific focus is just that underserved rural community where there’s either no fiber provider that’s building fiber-to-the-home, fiber-to-the-curb services for these communities or perhaps there was an original fiber operator that has stopped building into that community for various reasons where we can go bridge that digital and economic divide,” he said.

In terms of how its work will be spread out over the years, Cantrall said 2022 will primarily be spent putting staff and resources in place to enable the company to ramp construction in 2023 and beyond. Though he didn’t provide a passings target for each year, he noted the goal for 2022 will be “maybe a third” of what it’ll be aiming to hit in 2023, 2024 and 2025. The executive added 2026 and 2027 will be more about densifying in the areas where it’s already expanded.

As it grows its fiber footprint, Cantrall said Clearwave is expecting penetration rates to reach around 20% after 12 months. But that number could be much, much higher. “We think that the communities – because of how unserved these communities are the take rate will be much greater than that,” he said.

Right now it’s offering plans ranging from 50 Mbps to 1 Gbps, but Cantrall said it is looking to move into multi-gig territory sometime in the future.

M&A

Clearwave is also looking to supplement its organic growth with acquisitions, though such transactions aren’t core to its strategy. In particular, it’s hunting for targets in or nearby the areas where it plans to expand that have a company culture similar to its own. Cantrall revealed it actually just struck a deal to scoop up a small operator in Kansas called RG Fiber. Additional details about that deal were not immediately available.

“As those opportunities pop up, we’re going to continue to be aggressive in pursuing them,” Cantrall stated, adding it is especially interested in “small, rural fiber operators that are perhaps underfunded, that if they just had access to a strategy and more capital we can accelerate the growth.”

 

Source: Fierce Telecom

 

Sparklight® Named to Forbes 2022 America’s Best Mid-Sized Employers List

March 21, 2022

Sparklight, a leading broadband communications provider and a member of the Cable One family of brands, has once again been named to Forbes America’s Best Mid-Sized Employers List. This is the second consecutive year Forbes has recognized Sparklight as one of the top employers in the U.S.

“We continue to focus on creating a workplace in which our associates feel valued and included, and we were honored that our team recognized that commitment through our ranking on the Forbes list of America’s Best Midsized Employers again this year,” said Julie Laulis, Cable One President and CEO. “This recognition was especially meaningful this year, given continued impacts from the pandemic and the additional challenges it places on our associates. Despite facing many uncertainties, they remained unwavering in their commitment to keeping our customers connected to what matters most. Our associates are unquestionably the heart of our company and the reason behind our behind our long-term success.”

Forbes partnered with market research company Statista to pinpoint companies rated highest by employees in an annual ranking of America’s Best Employers. Statista surveyed 60,000 Americans working for businesses with at least 1,000 employees. Respondents were asked to rate on a scale of zero to 10 how likely they would be to recommend their employer. They were also asked to rate their companies on factors such as working conditions, development opportunities and compensation. The award is given to only 500 midsize (1,000 to 5,000 employees) employers in the United States.

Sparklight provides its associates with the opportunity for a thriving and rewarding career, a focus on health and wellness, an excellent work/life balance, and an open and inclusive workplace. Current job openings can be found at www.sparklight.com/about/careers.

 

Source: Cable One

Mediacom Raising Internet Download Speeds for Majority of Customers

March 14, 2022

Mediacom Communications announced today it is giving a substantial download speed boost to many of the company’s most popular Xtream internet tiers.  Effective immediately, the following upgrades will be made available to over 900,000 customers nationally at no additional charge:

  • Download speeds for Access Internet 60 will rise to 100 Mbps, a 67% increase.
  • Download speeds for Internet 100 will jump to 200 Mbps, a 100% increase.
  • Download speeds for Internet 300 will move to 400 Mbps, a 33% increase.

In addition, Mediacom will be doubling the download speeds for the Connect2Compete Plus (C2C+) tier from 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps.  C2C+ offers qualifying customers a complete high-speed broadband experience for just $30 per month.  The service is designed to work in conjunction with the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) which provides a corresponding $30 monthly benefit ($75 in Tribal Areas) to help eligible households pay for broadband access.  The ACP benefit is available to households with income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or if a member of the household participates in SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, Lifeline or certain other federal programs.

“Similar to our 2021 launch of Xtream WiFi 360pro which is now being used in more than 50,000 homes and businesses served by Mediacom, these speed enhancements are being implemented to facilitate the seamless connection of more internet-enabled devices and enrich the consumer experience,” said John Pascarelli, Mediacom’s Executive Vice President of Operations.

Customers may have to reboot their modem for the speed changes to take effect.  In addition, older modems may need to be upgraded to take full advantage of the increased speeds. Older modems leased from Mediacom are eligible to be exchanged at no additional charge.  For customers who own their modems, information about equipment compatibility can be found online.

 

Source: Mediacom

Spectrum Launches Gigabit Broadband, Mobile, TV and Voice Services in Rural Parts of Posey County, Indiana

March 7, 2022

Spectrum Internet® with Starting Speeds of 200 Mbps To Nearly 475 Homes and Small Businesses by the End of March

Network Buildout is Part of Spectrum’s $5 Billion, Multiyear Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) Investment in Rural Broadband

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Spectrum today announced the launch of Spectrum Internet, Mobile, TV and Voice services to more than 100 homes and small businesses in rural and unserved parts of Posey County now and a total of nearly 475 by the end of March. Spectrum’s newly constructed fiber-optic network buildout in the county is part of the company’s approximately $5 billion investment in unserved rural communities, which includes $1.2 billion won in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) RDOF auction. The company’s RDOF expansion will provide broadband access to approximately 1 million customer locations as estimated by the FCC across 24 states in the coming years.

Spectrum Internet Gig, with download speeds of 1 Gbps, is now available throughout the buildout area. Spectrum Internet offers starting speeds of 200 Mbps, with Spectrum Internet Ultra providing download speeds of 400 Mbps. For small and medium-sized businesses, Spectrum Business Internet offers download speeds of 200 Mbps, 600 Mbps and 1 Gbps. Local residents and business owners should visit spectrumruralexpansion.com to learn more about when their home or business may be able to receive Spectrum services.

“Through RDOF, Spectrum is making a multiyear investment to extend gigabit broadband networks to unserved communities across America,” said Tom Yates, Vice President, Construction FO Rural Build. “Our commitment is making it possible to deliver the high-value broadband, mobile, TV and voice services now available in Posey County. We are providing superior connectivity to local residents and small businesses at highly competitive prices, backed by an organization committed to craftsmanship and service.”

Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the Best Internet Service Provider for Rural Areas in its 2021-22 ratings, Spectrum Internet also exceeded advertised download and upload speeds for all tiers measured — even during peak weeknight usage between 7 and 11 p.m. — according to the FCC’s most recent “Measuring Broadband America Fixed Broadband Report” issued in December 2021.

Spectrum Internet Assist, the company’s low-cost broadband service for qualifying families and seniors, is also available, offering 30 Mbps speeds for just $17.99 per month. All Spectrum Internet plans have no data caps, modem fees or contracts and are eligible for Affordable Connectivity Program credits for qualifying households.

US Representative Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN-8) says today’s announcement will help bridge the digital divide by getting broadband access to those who can now flourish with the new connectivity.

“Far too many rural communities across Indiana’s 8th District lack the broadband internet access they need to be able to thrive in the 21st century.  Expanding broadband internet access in rural areas will allow businesses to grow, students to thrive, and communities to connect. With nearly one in five rural Americans lacking access to broadband internet service, Charter’s broadband investment will give rural Hoosiers the vital connectivity that they need,” said Dr. Bucshon.

Indiana’s Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch commends Charter’s investment to help close the digital divide in the state.

“I’ve been in public service for nearly three decades and broadband infrastructure investments are some of the most exciting opportunities for Hoosiers,” said Lt. Governor Crouch. “I applaud Charter’s rural initiative to bring high-speed internet access to residents of Posey County that do not have a connection now. This investment brings us another step closer to closing the digital divide in Indiana.”

Indiana State Senator Jim Tomes is encouraged that today’s announcement will lead to more rural broadband offerings in the Hoosier state.

“I am very excited to see the broadband expansion in Posey County. I know how beneficial this will be for our citizens, and I hope there will be more high-speed internet improvements within our state in the very near future,” he said.

In addition to her work as a legislator, Indiana State Representative Wendy McNamara (IN-76) is an educator and believes the Spectrum network will be a big advance in supporting students and teachers in the county.

“As an educator, I know the importance for students and teachers to have fast, dependable internet service to assist with homework, create virtual study groups, access educational resources and engage in distance learning when necessary. I am excited to see how Spectrum’s program will help advance classroom learning in rural areas of Southern Indiana,” Rep. McNamara said.

Spectrum Mobile™ is available exclusively to Spectrum Internet customers. Combining the fastest overall speeds* with the best devices and a choice of Unlimited or By the Gig data plans, Spectrum Mobile provides customers the highest-quality experience at great value, including access to nationwide 5G. Customers can bring their own phone or choose from among the latest mobile devices and accessories.

Spectrum TV® brings extensive programming lineups to the area, with more than 200 HD channels and access to 85,000 On Demand movies and shows. Using the award-winning Spectrum TV App, viewers can stream content across a growing number of platforms, including iOS and Android phones and tablets, Xbox, Kindle Fire, Samsung Smart TVs, Apple TV 4K, Google Chromecast, Roku and PCs. Spectrum TV customers also have exclusive access to Spectrum Originals, a premier destination for premium original series, available on-demand and ad-free.

Home phone service through Spectrum Voice® provides unlimited calling in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico; up to 28 popular calling features, including Call Guard, which helps block unwanted robocalls; and no added phone taxes or fees.

 

Source: Charter Communications