From soccer to stadiums: Comcast’s AI-backed network delivers the ultimate fan experience

This article was written by Laura Newpoff and published in the Denver Business Journal. Read the full article here.

Today, entertainment drives more than 70% of Xfinity’s internet traffic which includes live sports streaming, gaming and other entertainment apps. This marks a significant shift in how people use the internet, and Comcast — parent company of the popular Xfinity brand — is enhancing these experiences with innovative features that bring a little extra magic to every moment.

That evolution was front and center at the recent Mountain Connect conference in Denver, where Comcast Chief Network Officer Elad Nafshi delivered a keynote on three forces driving the internet’s next leap forward. His talk explored how artificial intelligence, the surge in sports streaming and the rise of low-latency connectivity are reshaping broadband networks to meet growing consumer demand. These trends reinforce Comcast’s commitment to investing in its network and driving innovation for the future.

Rachel Solomon — senior vice president, technical operations and engineering for Comcast’s West Division, which is headquartered in Denver — offered deeper insight into the company’s converged network, which is built to meet today’s connectivity needs and evolve with the innovations and trends of tomorrow.

For Comcast, convergence is more than just bundling, she said.

“We are seamlessly integrating the latest connectivity technologies with rich, high-definition media to deliver experiences that our customers love. Live sports are a universal example of that,” Solomon said. “Whether people are watching in the comfort of their homes or with friends at a local restaurant, the network powers a seamless, low-lag experience to watch these events.”

One example is the new World Soccer Ticket, which offers more than 1,500 matches from the most important leagues across the globe on the Xfinity service.

The first-ever video sports package custom built for soccer features nearly 60 channels, access to Peacock, 300 hours of cloud DVR and Xfinity’s most-advanced entertainment hardware.

• Multiview allows customers to watch up to four live sports games simultaneously.
• 4K technology offers ultra-high-definition images for immersive viewing experiences.
• Sports Zones are centralized content hubs and feature apps for real-time stats, scores and betting odds.

Soccer builds on Comcast’s professional sports experiences that feature partnerships with the NFL, NBA and PGA.

“Sports have become such an important part of people’s lives and are a big part of family entertainment,” Solomon said. “By expanding our soccer offerings, we’re helping millions of soccer fans connect to experiences that are important to them.”

A commitment to Colorado and the community

Comcast is powering the future of connectivity through its network, reaching more than 64 million homes and businesses, including more than 2 million in Colorado. Comcast is the only provider in its 39-state footprint that delivers gig internet and gig wireless. Reports show the gigabit-per-second speed is so fast that a person could stream 200 high-definition shows simultaneously.

Comcast has invested $1.2 billion in technology and infrastructure in Colorado in the past three years — expanding its network, upgrading systems and building new connections. With more than 35,000 miles of network deployed statewide, that’s enough fiber to circle the Earth nearly one and a half times.

“Comcast constantly tests new technologies and explores innovative solutions to stay ahead of customer needs,” Solomon said. “We strive for excellence in terms of performance, reliability and customer service, while building a network that’s ready to meet the demands our customers haven’t even imagined yet.”

Comcast continuously explores opportunities to expand its network to have a positive impact on residents and businesses, “who we consider our friends and neighbors,” Solomon said. Part of that commitment is being a good community partner.

One Comcast program, Internet Essentials, offers qualifying residential customers service starting at $14.95 a month. The program has connected more than 752,000 Coloradans to fast, reliable home internet over the past 10 years. There are also 86 Lift Zones located in community centers throughout Colorado, offering free Wi-Fi and programming to help communities gain internet access so they can participate in the digital economy. These programs are part of Project UP — a $1 billion initiative to create digital opportunity nationwide.

Click here to read the full article on the Denver Business Journal website.