Comcast will offer $100 million in incentives to boost broadband subscriptions, as part of a $150 billion deal that includes a $20 billion investment in cable TV networks.
Comcast, the nation’s largest cable company, will offer the incentives to customers starting at the end of 2021, with an additional $20 million per month being offered to those who subscribe to at least four cable TV channels, including ESPN, HBO, AMC, and Starz.
Comcast has been touting the deal, which includes a commitment to invest in TV programming in 2021, as one of the key catalysts to bring about a faster broadband transition.
Comcast Chairman and CEO Brian Roberts has been calling for the deal to be approved by Congress, saying it would bring a significant boost to the nation, including job creation and higher wages.
Roberts also noted that the deal would be “an important milestone for American families.”
“The FCC’s rules make clear that a broadband transition requires an investment in high-speed broadband access, and that Comcast’s broadband investments will help to bring our country closer to the next generation of the internet,” Roberts said in a statement.
“We are committed to creating a more affordable and reliable broadband network for millions of American families, and will continue to do everything we can to ensure that Comcast delivers on this promise.”
The FCC, in its proposal to approve the deal for Comcast, specifically called for $200 million in broadband rebates and other incentives for households who subscribe more than four TV channels.
The proposal also included incentives for businesses that invest in broadband and said that Comcast would offer $50 million to the first 4 million subscribers who subscribe at least three channels.
Comcast is expected to announce the final deal later this month.
The FCC will likely have more to say about the deal in the coming weeks.
The commission’s net neutrality rules, which were finalized last year, prohibit internet service providers from discriminating against certain content or services, like Comcast, by slowing or blocking certain websites.
Comcast has said that its service is still available, although it has slowed down some of its video services, including HBO and AMC.
Last month, the Federal Communications Commission issued a new set of net neutrality guidelines that allow ISPs to speed up or slow down the speed of their broadband networks based on whether or not they’re “connected” to a cable or satellite provider.
The FCC also recently gave the green light to AT&T to offer faster Internet speeds to its customers, and to Verizon Wireless to offer the same speeds to some customers.
