Comcast Expands Access During Covid-19, Adds Black News Channel

Comcast, which has hundreds of Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots across the state, has provided a location map to any member of the public in need of free internet, including non-customers. Comcast also announced that it has paused data caps for 60 days to give all customers unlimited data for no additional charge.

“We also know that for millions of low-income Americans who don’t have Internet service at home, this uncertain time is going to be even more difficult to manage,” said Kristen Roberts, Comcast Vice President, Communications – Western New England Region.  “As schools and businesses close and families are encouraged, or even mandated, to stay home, Internet connectivity becomes even more important.”

The map can be found at wifi.xfinity.com. Once a person has located their closest hotspot, they must select “xfinitywifi” on their device to connect to the internet and accept the “Terms and Conditions,” officials explained.

Comcast, offers TV, internet, voice, home security/automation and mobile services in 86 Connecticut communities, recently expanded their services to include East Lyme, Waterford and New London.

The company also encouraged low-income families to sign up for 60 days of free internet access under its “Internet Essentials” broadband program, which usually costs about $10 per month. Customers with X1 packages can also access educational collections by grade-level for school-age students by saying “education” into their X1 or Flex voice remote.

“We are increasing Internet speeds for the Internet Essentials service from 15/2 Mbps to 25/3 Mbps for all new and existing customers, which will be the speed of the service going forward,” Roberts added. “In this way, we will ensure that Internet Essentials customers will be able to use their Internet service for all their increased needs as a result of this health crisis.”

The company said its network, engineered for “peak bandwidth utilization” has so far handled usage demands well, and that it will continue to monitor and adjust to ongoing “spikes and shifts” in usage patterns on a national and local level.

Comcast is among the cable services in Connecticut that recently made the new Black News Channel available to some subscribers.  Black News Channel is an internet-delivered streaming channel available by subscription for $3.99 per month to customers with Xfinity X1 or Xfinity Flex. A 7-day free trial is available.

The Black News Channel (BNC) launched nationally on February 10.  It aims to "provide intelligent programming that is informative, educational, entertaining, inspiring, and empowering to its African American audience," according to the network. As of now, BNC can be seen on Spectrum, Xfinity X-1 Platform, Dish Network and Roku Channel. The network plans to launch on additional platforms in the coming months, and is currently developing a mobile app.

Co- founders J.C. Watts, a former Republican congressman from Oklahoma, and former Florida cable news executive Bob Brillante head up the network, with Watts as chairman and Brillante as CEO.  Viewers have access to more than 12 hours of original programming during weekdays and more than five hours during the weekends, according to the network's website. Coverage isn't limited to what's happening nationally in America — BNC says it offers international, national, state, and local news affecting black communities around the country.  Among the fledgling network’s anchors is Fred Hickman, who was among the first class of broadcasters on CNN when it launched in 1980.    

BNC’s state-of-the-art network operations center is operating out of Tallahassee, Florida, with several news bureaus positioned around the country.  In addition, BNC is collaborating with the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), a trade association comprising the more than 200 African-American-owned community newspapers in the U.S, which will help "provide the network access to stories not covered by other news organizations."

BNC is also partnering with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to offer internships and training opportunities to aspiring black journalists.

For Comcast subscribers, to locate Black News Channel, X1 and Flex customers can say “Black News Channel” into their X1 Voice Remote or go to the Black News Channel network page. X1 customers can also find it in the “Networks” and “News” destinations on X1, according to Comcast officials.