America’s Expanding Broadband Networks Continue to Grow: The Midwest Pt. 2

As America targets efforts towards connecting every community to robust broadband – including the distribution of more than $40 billion in federal funds for building new networks – cable providers continue to do what they have always done: build out their networks to reach as many Americans as possible. With network expansions continuing to happen nationwide, here are a few more examples of projects that work towards the national goal of connecting every American. To learn about other projects highlighted in previous blogs, be sure to check out NCTA.com. Wisconsin Midco is building a state-of

America’s Expanding Cable Broadband Networks: The Midwest

As America targets efforts towards closing the digital divide and awaits the distribution of federal funds for broadband deployment and adoption, cable providers continue to do what they have always done: build out their networks to reach as many Americans as possible. Here is a small sampling of broadband projects by cable ISPs underway as they prepare to deliver fast internet speeds in Midwest communities. Iowa Mediacom earlier this year announced they had begun transitioning their Iowa gigabit network to the new 10G Platform. Residents in West Des Moines will be among the first to enjoy the

Two Years Later, Comcast and Chicago Connected Continue to Impact Families

As students head back to school this fall, it is worth thinking back to March 2020, when COVID caused worldwide shutdowns and school closures. In Chicago, the public school district recognized that partnering with the private and nonprofit sectors was key to facilitating the transition to an unprecedented need for remote learning. An estimated 100,000 Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students were without an internet option that could support the applications required for distance learning. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Comcast, CPS, numerous community-based and

AMC’s “61st Street” Brings a Spotlight and Jobs to Chicago’s South Side

This weekend AMC Networks premieres its highly-anticipated original series “61st Street” from creator and showrunner Peter Moffat. Moffat, known for HBO’s award-winning miniseries “The Night Of” has assembled a two-season, 16-episode long saga that takes on the broken criminal justice system and the realities faced by many residents of the South Side of Chicago. Timely and provocative, the show brings to the forefront the systemic abuse happening in some of America's most vulnerable communities. “61st Street” follows Moses Johnson (played by Tosin Cole), a promising, Black high school athlete

Fargo’s On-Location Filming Brings Jobs, Tourism to Illinois

Before a TV show starts filming, a lot of big decisions have to be made. Chief among them, where will production take place? Sometimes, an elaborate set is built (that sometimes can be a holodeck). Other times a location scout works to find an already built environment to use as a backdrop. On-location projects come with perks that are absent with a set: authenticity, scale, and often times support from local government offices. These projects also bring significant economic stimulus to an area by employing local crews and talent. The effects on the community can often go far beyond those

Comcast and Chicago Public Schools Team Up to Enable Distance Learning

As schools across the country dive head-first into distance learning and attempt to resolve digital equity issues, districts can find a great model in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and its unique public-private partnership with Comcast. This past summer, Comcast, along with multiple stakeholders, worked with CPS to launch Chicago Connected, a digital equity initiative whose goal is to provide broadband internet at no cost over the course of four years to as many as 100,000 eligible students. The initiative is part of a nationwide effort, K-12 Bridge to Broadband, which provides a path for