California Public Utilities Commission Awards Comcast over $14 million in Federal Funding Account Grants to Expand High-Speed, Reliable Broadband Services in Marin & Sutter Counties
Comcast announced it will expand its reliable, smart, high-speed, fiber broadband network in both residential and commercial neighborhoods in Northern California’s Marin and Sutter counties. By mid-2026 these expansion efforts will bring Comcast’s next-generation network to over 150 locations in Marin County and over 450 locations in Sutter County, both of which had previously been unserved.
This broadband network expansion is made possible by a $14 million Federal Funding Account (FFA) Grant from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and private funding by Comcast. Comcast also recently announced it has received a $26 million FFA grant to expand its fiber-rich network in Tulare County, which will bring broadband services to nearly 6,200 unserved locations by early 2026.
“At Comcast we understand that reliable, high-speed Internet has become a necessity to not only support those looking to participate in the ever-growing digital economy, but also to connect students, families and seniors to those moments that matter the most,” said David Tashjian, Regional Senior Vice President of Comcast California. “This continued investment of funds from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will allow us to expand into unserved communities throughout Marin and Sutter Counties, which will provide residents and businesses with a future of unlimited possibilities.”
“This grant project will help level the playing field for a lot of families in Sutter County who have not previously had access to high-speed Internet,” said Mat Conant, Chair of the Sutter County Board of Supervisors. “This is really important for anyone doing any research for school or work, and for small business owners.”
“There has always been an overwhelming demand to improve and expand our broadband services in Marin County,” said Eric Lucan of the Marin County Board of Supervisors. “That need is particularly important for our senior community, including my constituents within a mobile home community in Novato. I commend the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and Comcast on today’s announcement and I’m excited to see the lasting impacts these awards will have in connecting more residents to high-speed Internet and the economic opportunities they will create.”
Comcast’s commitment to new communities goes beyond network expansion efforts, addressing digital opportunities in communities through Project UP, the company’s $1 billion dollar commitment to help tens of millions of people connect to the Internet and build futures of unlimited possibilities. Over the past three years, Comcast has invested more than $130 million in cash and in-kind donations into California nonprofits focused on helping people build digital skills, expanding WiFi connected Lift Zones and funding connectivity and Internet adoption programs.
Comcast’s funding also supports ongoing efforts to build awareness about affordable connectivity services like Internet Essentials, which offers eligible households high-speed Internet for $9.95/month or Internet Essentials Plus for $29.95/month. Affordable computers are also available through Internet Essentials. Since its inception in 2011, the program has connected more than 2.2 million Californians.
Residential customers will be able to take advantage of Xfinity’s full suite of products, including Internet, video, mobile, voice and managed home solutions. For local businesses, Comcast Business will offer a suite of connectivity, communications, networking, cybersecurity, wireless, and managed solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what’s next. Industry analysts and associations have consistently recognized Comcast Business as a leader and innovator, and one of the fastest-growing providers of Ethernet services.
Comcast’s network and Internet experience are powering homes today and into the future.
- Ultimate Capacity: Xfinity customers connect more than 1 billion devices across the company’s network annually. With the next-generation Xfinity gateways, we deliver the most advanced WiFi technology carrying three times more bandwidth to power streaming, gaming, videoconferencing, and more, simultaneously.
- Fastest Internet: Nearly a third of Xfinity Internet customers subscribe to gigabit speed products. Recently Comcast connected the first customers in the world to a DOCSIS 4.0 connection, delivering symmetrical gig speeds over existing connections in customers’ homes with plans to continue to rollout these speeds across the country over the coming years.
- Unprecedented Coverage: The latest Xfinity Gateway provides a more reliable connection throughout the home. Customers can get wall-to-wall WiFi coverage with a powerful WiFi Boost Pod that extends coverage to hard-to-reach areas of the home.
- Most Reliable Connection: Comcast is scaling the nation’s largest and most reliable network that passes 62 million homes and businesses and counting. The company launched Storm-Ready WiFi, a new device that comes powered with cellular and battery backup to help keep customers connected even when the power goes out.
- Ultra-Low Latency: The Xfinity network and the latest Xfinity Gateway are a powerful combination that deliver ultra-low latency for those moments when response times matter most like video games, a fast-growing category with Xfinity households averaging more than one gaming console per home.
For local businesses, Comcast Business will offer a suite of connectivity, communications, networking, cybersecurity, wireless, and managed solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what’s next. Comcast Business has been consistently recognized by industry analysts and associations as a leader and innovator, and one of the fastest-growing providers of Ethernet services.
