It’s a digital world.  Today, television programming is digital, TV sets are digital, consumer electronics are digital, music is digital (CDs, MP3s, iTunes), movies (HD, BluRay DVD) are digital, and even broadcast television has gone digital.  Comcast will soon complete its own digital service upgrade.

Comcast is introducing a digital network enhancement in the City of Boston and Brookline.

Once the network enhancement is completed, Comcast limited basic cable customers will experience the benefits of digital picture and sound as well as 15 additional channels for no extra cost. It will also allow Comcast to provide more HD channels, an expanded On Demand offering, faster Internet speeds as well as an updated guide.

To make this digital network enhancement possible, Comcast will begin to deliver all of its analog channels, including the broadcast channels that are offered through Comcast’s cable service, in a digital format in the City of Boston and Brookline by June 19.  This will require customers to have a digital cable box or other piece of digital equipment, such as a digital adapter or CableCard, to watch those channels.  The company already delivers a fully digital signal to around 95% of our customer base in Boston and Brookline, and we are now taking steps to provide the benefits of digital to customers who have not yet upgraded.

To make it convenient for customers to benefit from this enhancement, Comcast is currently providing customers with the equipment needed to receive these benefits at no additional cost. Limited Basic analog customers can obtain up to three digital adapters at no additional cost and Limited Basic customers who may already have a digital set-top box in their home can receive up to two digital adapters at no additional cost.

WHY

The upgrade will deliver a next-generation platform for new services, meaning more programming content and features for customers:

• Immediately, Limited Basic customers who take action to receive their new equipment will receive new channels that were added to their line-up:
  • Current Limited Basic analog customers who receive digital equipment for the first time will be able to immediately enjoy digital quality picture and sound, as well as 15 additional digital channels such as Jewelry TV, WGBH World, WGBH Kids, WGBH Create, Trinity Broadcasting Network, EWTN, WBIN – Live Well Network, WBIN – COOL TV, WNEU – Exitos, WLVI-TCN, WYDN (Daystar), WENH – Explore, WHDH – This TV, WFXZ-CA (Azteca America) and WUNI-LATV. 
• With this additional network capacity, Comcast will be able to continue boosting broadband speeds.
• Customers can expect more HD channels, next-generation features and enhancements in the near future.

WHEN

Customers have received a variety of direct notifications from Comcast explaining the initiative and the changes to Limited Basic service.  The remaining analog channels will be digitized on June 19 and the launch of new high definition channels made possible by this project will become available later this summer.  

HOW

In the time leading up to the pending enhancements, customers can take a few easy, no-cost steps to bring Digital Cable benefits into their homes and prepare for the digital network enhancement in Jamaica Plain.

Step 1: Install…that’s all.

Customers who currently subscribe to Comcast’s Limited Basic (receive an analog signal directly to the TV set without a set-top box from Comcast) or Digital customers with additional TVs in the home that do not have equipment will need to:

• Use a simple self-install kit to hook up a new device on their own (a very easy, no-cost process).  Kits can be picked up at one of Comcast’s local service centers, including Roslindale (4640 Washington Street) or can be ordered by calling 1-877-634-4434 or visiting www.comcast.com/digitalnow.
• There are no installation costs if customers self-install the devices.
• Professional installation of equipment is also available at the cost of a technician visit.