At the recent City of Gustine Council meeting, significant attention was focused on the long-awaited Comcast project, a critical infrastructure initiative poised to transform the city's digital landscape.

The City Manager set the tone for the evening by introducing Nathan Ahle, Director of Government Affairs for Comcast’s South Valley region. Ahle has been a familiar face at council meetings over the past few years, consistently updating the council on the progress of this ambitious project. This evening, however, marked a pivotal moment as Ahle i provided the most detailed overview yet, signaling that the project is now moving into its active phase.

"This has been a long time in development," Ahle said, noting that he has been with Comcast for two and a half years, and the project has been under development for nearly as long. The project, he revealed, represents a significant $6 million investment by Comcast, entirely self-funded, which distinguishes it from other broadband initiatives in the region that have relied on government grants or subsidies.

The Comcast project is designed to bring an all-digital, fiber-based network to every corner of Gustine, offering residents and businesses internet speeds of up to 1.2 gigabits per second, both for uploads and downloads. This robust network, Ahle explained, will support a range of services beyond high-speed internet, including Comcast’s XFINITY mobile products, video services, and their advanced home security systems, all running on the same high-capacity network backbone. "We’re bringing back Comcast to Gustine, but in a way that’s far beyond what we’ve offered here in the past," Ahle said, referencing the previous Comcast analog video-only system that was discontinued years ago.

Ahle provided a detailed breakdown of the project phases, explaining that the work would be split between aerial and underground infrastructure. Permits for the aerial portions, which involve stringing fiber cables on PG&E poles and Comcast's own poles, have already been secured. The underground work, which will involve burying cables to maintain the city's aesthetic and infrastructure integrity, will require additional permits, which Comcast is in the process of obtaining.

The total timeline for the project is expected to span approximately nine months. However, Ahle mentioned that there is a possibility that some sections of the network could be activated earlier if conditions allow. "Typically, a project of this size would take about nine months, but we’re pushing to get it done sooner so we can start serving customers as quickly as possible," Ahle assured the council.

One of the key concerns raised during the meeting was about the communication with residents during the construction phase. Ahle explained that Comcast has a clear plan to notify residents at least 14 days in advance of any work beginning in their neighborhoods. These notifications will come in the form of mailers and door tags, which will include contact information for any concerns or issues residents might encounter during the construction process. "We want to be as transparent and communicative as possible to minimize any disruption," Ahle stated, emphasizing Comcast’s commitment to being a good community partner.

Ahle said that the project would be phased, starting with the aerial work and then moving on to the underground portions. "If there’s an opportunity to turn on the service earlier in certain parts of the community, we’ll certainly take it," he added, noting that this could allow some residents to benefit from the new services sooner.

Further discussions centered around future growth and how the network would accommodate new developments in Gustine. Council Member James Bonta pointed out that there are new developments planned south of town and asked if these areas would be included in the network expansion. Ahle responded affirmatively, explaining that the network is designed with future growth in mind. "We always plan for future annexations and developments. Our goal is to ensure that as Gustine grows, our network grows with it," Ahle said, highlighting the ongoing collaboration between Comcast and city planners to ensure seamless integration of the network with the city’s development plans.

As Ahle concluded his presentation, he introduced Comcast’s broader community engagement strategy, known as "Project Up," a $1 billion nationwide investment aimed at bridging the digital divide. Ahle expressed a strong desire to collaborate with the City of Gustine to determine how these resources could best be deployed locally. "We don’t just want to install a network and leave; we want to be a long-term partner in the community," Ahle said. He mentioned potential initiatives like "Lift Zones," which would provide free, secure Wi-Fi in community centers, schools, and other public spaces, helping to ensure that everyone in Gustine has access to the digital resources they need.

Before ending his remarks, Ahle shared an example of Comcast’s commitment to community involvement, recounting how the company recently turned on service in Santa Nella and provided a grant to assist residents affected by a devastating fire in the area. "We want to be there for the community not just in times of prosperity, but also in times of need," he said.

The council members expressed their appreciation for the thorough update and for Comcast’s commitment to the community. Mayor Pat Nagy summed up the general sentiment by saying, "The city’s been waiting for this for years, and it’s great to finally see light at the end of the tunnel. We’re excited to see this project move forward and bring much-needed services to our residents."