During the locate work to identify underground utilities, Comcast’s construction business partner will submit the appropriate requests via 811 to require utility owners to locate their infrastructure in your neighborhood’s public right-of-way and utility easements. Separate crews from the appropriate utilities will mark the ground with locate flags and paint to indicate where infrastructure currently exists so the new construction does not disturb or damage existing lines.

The markings consist of different colors to reflect each type of infrastructure in a certain area (see below chart). It is essential for the utility crews to request locates, as required by 811, be performed to ensure the utility owners identify their plant prior to any work being done and the construction crews can operate as safely as possible.

The locate marking colors correspond to utilities as follows in accordance with the Minnesota 811 safe dig practices:

Within roughly 5-7 days after the locate work will begin to install conduit, fiber, and coax lines into your neighborhood. Much of the construction work will occur in public rights-of-way and easements.

On the very limited occasions where Comcast may need to access public easements located on private property, a construction contractor will contact residents directly to notify them before initiating any work.  Pursuant to the Town Code related to easement access, if contact is not made, Comcast’s construction partners may still enter the property to conduct the work on public easements. Notification of entry will be provided.

• • Watch for the notifications. It is easy to miss a mailer, door hanger or phone call as spam.
  • Keep your pets in your house. If access is needed to your backyard, please make sure your pets are safe and secure during the time period provided by Comcast.
  • Be patient. Comcast is having a new, state-of-the-art network built across these rural communities and bringing the full suite of services to Nowthen. Comcast and our construction partner are working to complete this work as quickly and efficiently as possible.
  • Be aware of construction workers. All construction workers and people placing door hanger messages will be wearing a safety vest and a badge identifying themselves as a Comcast employee or an authorized Comcast contractor.

As this project progresses, we want to ensure residents are well-informed and prepared. Multiple notifications via door hangers to residents and businesses will be provided in advance of any work impacting your neighborhood. The door hanger will include a phone number for you to reach out to specifically around the project in your neighborhood. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the phone number on your door hanger.

The below image provides a high-level overview of what a typical construction site looks like from a bird’s eye view.

To provide Comcast service in your community, our team needs to place above ground connection points that link to underground fiber lines. These connection points are pedestals or peds, which are generally light green plastic housing and located in public rights of way.

Peds serve specific network engineering needs. Their above ground design and placement provides a more secure connection space and avoids service-impacting damage from water and ice. Above ground peds are also much easier and faster to service in the event of a network issue or outage.

To ensure the highest quality connection, peds need to maintain a relatively close distance to the associated home or business. The combination of these factors – in addition to staying in the public right-of-way or utility easements – creates some critical limitations on where peds can be placed.

Once work is complete in an area, restoration work will begin to make the area look like it did or better before the work began.

Comcast invests billions of dollars in our network across Minnesota to ensure residents and businesses have access to the most innovative video, broadband, security, home and voice products available. Technology is at the core of what we do. We have fiber at the core of our network, and we are extending it deeper into neighborhoods and closer to homes. We’re driving the industry with our major technology partners to redefine the technologies that you use to enjoy entertainment, connect and communicate now and into the future.

Yes. This expansion provides low-income families and individuals with access to Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, the nation’s largest and most successful broadband adoption initiative. Since 2011, Internet Essentials has connected 480,000 low-income in Minnesota to the power of the internet at home, many for the first time.

Watch for additional updates approximately two months before construction is completed. Comcast will send a “Coming Soon” mailer to all residents notifying them that construction is almost completed, and Xfinity service will become available.

Once construction is completed residents’ homes and businesses are now serviceable (ready to sign up for Xfinity or Comcast Business). Once the network connection is complete, you will be able to sign up for service.   Residents will receive a “Xfinity Joined Your Neighborhood” mailer, letting you know that Xfinity services are available.

Residential customers may also contact Xfinity by phone at 1-800-XFINITY, visit us online or visit a nearby Xfinity store to discuss a plan that works for your home. To find a store near you, visit www.xfinitystore.com.

Once you’ve reached out to request service, we’ll set up an appointment for installation. During the installation appointment, a Comcast technician will come to your address to establish a direct, wired connection to your home or business and help you get your services up and running. At this point, you’re officially a Comcast customer!

Please note – The technician will install a temporary line to get you connected. This line will initially be above ground, likely through Spring, when ground conditions improve enough to bury the line underground.