As Twin Cities’ appetite for live streaming grows, Internet networks must be built to handle the future

The recent boom in Internet consumption along with the long-range population forecast by the Metropolitan Council, which shows the Twin Cities is expected to add approximately 65,000 residents over the next two decades, underscores the importance of connectivity and having a network that can seamlessly handle the influx in demand.

Modern networks require ongoing investment and innovation to remain resilient, secure, and future-ready.

A dramatic rise in network traffic

Year after year, overall network traffic for Internet providers has grown by double digits. The average Xfinity Internet customer has 36 WiFi-connected devices in their home.

Today, over 70 percent of Xfinity’s Internet traffic consists of entertainment, with more live sports on streaming, more applications, and more uses. And that usage is likely to accelerate in the Twin Cities, with its roster of professional sports teams and dedicated fans.

This past year, Comcast saw the largest consumption in Internet history driven by sports streaming and large gaming downloads. In fact, the top five days all happened within the last few months of 2024, including a Thursday night football game last October, which featured the Minnesota Vikings.

The network prepared for the future

As population and Internet consumption trends rise, Comcast remains focused on delivering the best converged WiFi experience across its network, with continuous upgrades made to enhance how you stay connected – whether you’re on your laptop, iPad, or mobile phone, whether you’re at home or on the go.

Over the last 10 years, Comcast has invested $80 billion into its network and infrastructure nationwide to futureproof solutions for consumers and support businesses of all sizes through our Comcast Business services. Our network starts with 300,000 miles of fiber—enough to circle the Earth 12 times. It’s this essential infrastructure that brings you all the Internet has to offer every day, and in every situation.

In addition to powering mission-critical organizations, like the U.S. Department of Defense and FEMA, Comcast’s network also serves more small businesses in America, including thousands here in the Twin Cities.

Comcast’s investments provide features like WiFi PowerBoost, which automatically supercharges speeds for Xfinity Mobile and Comcast Business Mobile customers up to one gig whenever they connect to millions of WiFi hotspots across the country, including throughout the Twin Cities.

But beyond that, by every measure, our network is consistently performing and delivering the best experience in the nation.

Take for example the fact that every 20 minutes, our network is testing more than 4,000 data points across tens of millions of devices to enhance your experience. We can detect when there’s bandwidth available to be used more efficiently and have your modem automatically adjust to optimize your experience.

In the past year alone, we’ve pushed more than 350,000 upgrades across our network to make sure people get the best the Internet has to offer, including our recent speed increases for no additional cost.

Our network has the ability to self-heal. Today, automation and AI driven tools resolve 60% of network issues before the customer even notices.

We’re ready for anything. We’ve developed technology that can identify a cut fiber within seconds and tell our technicians precisely where the problem is and exactly how to fix it, so customers get back online as fast as possible. Comcast does fiber better than anyone else.

Cutting edge in-home equipment to keep pace with demand

In today’s age, the benefits and performance you experience from your network often are only as good as the equipment inside your home.

For example, our new XB10 modem, being released this year, will be Comcast’s fastest and most powerful device yet – with the unprecedented capacity to simultaneously connect up to 300 devices in your home.

Our network’s security also sets us apart. Anything that connects into our WiFi is automatically protected from connections to suspicious sites – it’s like having your own personal cybersecurity team.

Looking ahead

As the need for connectivity continues to grow, Comcast will be at the forefront, delivering an unparallelled experience with our next-generation network.  Whether it’s video calling grandma across the country or streaming the big game with friends, the Twin Cities can rely on Comcast to connect you to the moments that matter most.