Baltimore County, Comcast Announce $7.4M Partnership To Extend Broadband Coverage To 99% Of Previously Unserved Homes

BALTIMORE COUNTY - On Thursday, Comcast and the Baltimore County government announced a partnership that will facilitate high-speed broadband service expansion to an additional 450 homes in northern Baltimore County's rural regions.

A recent Baltimore County Government study identified over 2,500 homes without access to reliable wired broadband internet service. This new initiative promises to offer high-speed internet access to approximately 99 percent of all local homes that previously lacked the service.

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski voiced his commitment to bridging the digital divide in the county, noting that this significant investment in connectivity infrastructure will enhance access to high-speed internet for nearly all homes in Northern Baltimore County.

"This partnership with the state and Comcast is essential in ensuring residents have access to critical technology and the digital economy by providing universal broadband," Olszewski said.

The project is anticipated to be completed by 2025 and is funded by a new $7.4 million grant from the Maryland Office of Statewide Broadband's Connect Maryland Network Infrastructure Grant Program.

Since 2019, Baltimore County, the State of Maryland, and Comcast have dedicated over $23 million through the Connect Maryland initiative to narrow the rural digital divide in northern Baltimore County.

Michael Parker, Senior Vice President for Comcast's Beltway Region, acknowledged the program as a significant milestone for Baltimore County.

"Today's announcement is a major milestone for Baltimore County, and we are excited to connect more residents to the game-changing power of broadband," Parker said. "We have a shared mission with the county and state of Maryland to bridge the digital divide – and this partnership is a critical step in getting there."

The county clarified that plans are in place to secure additional funds to provide internet to the one percent of homes still lacking broadband access.