Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator and home Internet provider in the US and offers a number of services including cable television, broadband Internet and telephone services. In addition to the core company, Comcast also has interests in E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, The Golf Channel and more.

In addition they have recently acquired a majority stake in NBC Universal in a move which was approved by the FCC in 2011.

The company was originally known as American Cable Systems and was founded by Ralph J Roberts in 1963. It become Comcast Corporation in 1969 after it was decided that a joining together of the words Communication and Broadcast would be appropriate for the new technological age.. For the first 30 years of operations, the company primarily focused on cable television, at which it was very successful. Via the Comcast network, the company offers a variety of channels to their subscribers which are mainly centered around the Philadelphia and Washington DC areas.

In 1996 the company branched out into providing Internet broadband connections and launched Comcast Online. As part of this launch Comcast bought Sarasota Online which was at the time one of the largest Internet providers in the Florida area. They quickly expanded this enterprise into 30 cities.

In 1997 Microsoft decided that Comcast was the perfect company to become its partner in testing interactive television and high speed Internet services. With Comcast having the most advanced cable system in the country, the $1 billion investment seemed wise. Within one year Comcast had converted 70% of its customers to the fiber optic service which provided a better more reliable product. As of 2010 Comcast has more than 15 million Internet subscribers.

Comcast is able to offer a number of options for their customers and have download speeds of up to 105Mbps for standard home connections. This reflects well when compared to others in the market. Comcast's Internet product known as XFINITY allows customers to watch TV online, upload pictures or use the Internet faster than ever. Customers can also download movies even with while the whole family is online.

Comcast has received negative press feedback regarding their policy of throttling their customers if they place a huge burden on the network and will cut back on the download speed of those who use the service excessively. In 2008 a cap of 250GB per month was put in place. Despite this, the company seems to be going from strength to strength and the merger with NBC is certain to improve its standing in the market.

Read more on our main Fiber Optic Internet website about this and other internet service providers in New York.