EASTON, Pa. — Easton may soon be expanding its cable television and internet options, with city council approving an agreement with Philadelphia-based business giant Comcast on Wednesday.
Easton City Council approved their ten-year agreement with Comcast on Dec. 11, and while details on the five-year rollout are yet to be released — including details on infrastructure installation and permitting, which would determine which areas of the city will see service first — city officials and Comcast representatives are already celebrating a new option for residents.
Senior Vice President for Comcast’s Freedom Region Dan Bonelli issued a statement Thursday stating the business is “excited to bring our advanced products and services to the residents and businesses of the City of Easton.”
Bonelli added the partnership will offer “more choice to residents with fast, secure and reliable internet services that are built to meet the needs of the community, today and tomorrow.”
City Administrator Luis Campos concurred, adding the expanded choices will benefit consumers who have been limited to RCN or Service Electric for cable television and internet packages.
RCN’s starter package in the Lehigh Valley features internet speeds up to 300 Mbps (megabits per second), along with a basic television package for $59.03.
A base-level plan for Service Electric customers in the Lehigh Valley includes internet with speeds up to 100 Mbps, full basic cable featuring 215 channels, and unlimited long-distance calls for $161.49.
According to the Xfinity website, a 300 Mbps internet connection paired with 125+ cable channels would retail for about $119.15 per month.
During a presentation on Tuesday, Comcast Cable Senior Director of Government Affairs Brian R. Jeter said Easton customers could likely expect a standard package deal to cost around $100 per month, in addition to special promotion rates.
“Introducing another provider into the market that does things a little differently is very positive,” Campos said.
“It makes the environment more competitive, and it makes other firms become, more adaptive to the demands of the market. It's exactly what you want in a free market — you want more competition.”
Mayor Sal Panto Jr. also looked forward to the increased competition in the area thanks to the massive size of Comcast.
“With Comcast being the largest of all of the cable networks in the country, they have more resources. It’s a multibillion-dollar corporation. However, it's also a corporation that hasn't forgotten its roots, obviously,” Panto said.
One particular benefit, which was touched upon by Jeter on Tuesday, is a Comcast program that offers low-cost internet to individuals and families who rely on public assistance.
This could go a long way toward helping struggling families with children, Panto said, as the modern student requires internet access to keep up with schoolwork.
The mayor also warned customers that while package rates may be appealing, it is important to be aware of taxes and fees with each service provider, as they tend to jack up the price substantially. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on any promotional rate, which could escalate when that deal ends.
Beyond providing competitive options for customers, Comcast representatives have also boasted about the outreach work their corporation does with the communities it pairs with.
“When Comcast partners with a community, we also bring our commitment to advancing digital equity through Internet Essentials, our low-cost Internet service for low-income families, and Project UP, our $1 billion commitment to building a future of Unlimited Possibilities,” Bonelli said in a statement.
“We look forward to partnering with local nonprofits like the Allentown Digital Inclusion Initiative, Hispanic Center of Lehigh Valley, and the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation to further those efforts.”
Panto said he has seen some of the community-oriented projects Comcast has invested in around Philadelphia and feels that there may be a path to have the company help out with some upcoming Easton efforts.
“Obviously one of the things we're looking at is them providing Internet service for the new community center we’re going to build for low- and moderate-income families,” Panto said, adding that while he still has to connect with Comcast to pitch the idea, he feels confident it is a project they could easily manage.
While it may be a little while before the first Eastonians have the option to get Comcast, residents can sign up to receive updates when service becomes available.
