Comcast completes $72M SWFL infrastructure project

Cable giant Comcast recently completed a major infrastructure project on Sanibel Island after the beach community suffered extreme damage from Hurricane Ian in 2022. 

To restore connectivity and fortify the Xfinity network, more than 70 miles of new inline were rebuilt and a 10-mile fiber cable running underground from mainland Lee County to the island, according to a statement. The goal is to provide redundancy for the network. If one line goes down, the other will have continued connectivity. 

“Our commitment to this vibrant community runs deep. This network infrastructure is a big deal and we’re proud to be actively investing in Sanibel and other parts of Southwest Florida. The new fiber line and its strategic installation should bring a sense of comfort to those on the island,” says Jeff Buzzelli, the regional senior vice president for Comcast Florida in a statement. “We know that connectivity is crucial, especially during natural disasters when the Internet becomes even more essential. 

Hurricane Ian made landfall as a Category 4 storm nearly two years ago. According to a National Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Report, “Ian was responsible for over 150 direct and indirect deaths and over $112 billion in damage, making it the costliest hurricane in Florida’s history and the third-costliest in United States history.”

The headline of this story was updated to reflect that the project covers Southwest Florida.