Centreville Enters New Digital Era with Xfinity High-Speed Network
Comcast's major network expansion brings multi-gigabit internet to 2,300 Centreville homes and businesses, sparking competition and promising a new age of connectivity.
Centreville Enters New Digital Era with Xfinity High-Speed Network
CENTREVILLE, MD – January 07, 2026 – A significant shift in the digital landscape of Maryland's Eastern Shore is underway as Comcast begins connecting more than 2,300 homes and businesses in Centreville to its Xfinity network. The multi-million-dollar infrastructure project promises to deliver reliable, multi-gigabit symmetrical internet speeds, introducing a new level of competition and connectivity to the historic Queen Anne's County seat.
The expansion, which will see the first customers connected early this year, marks Comcast's entry as a new service provider in the town. The move has been met with enthusiasm from local leadership, who see it as a critical step toward modernizing the community's infrastructure.
“We’re thrilled Comcast is investing in Centreville and providing residents with a new choice for broadband services,” said Ashley Kaiser, President of the Centreville Town Council, in a statement. “This is a major win for our community and will help ensure our residents have the tools to thrive in today’s digital age.”
Reshaping Centreville's Digital Landscape
For years, Centreville residents and businesses have navigated a mixed internet service environment. While some areas have access to cable from providers like Breezeline, which offers speeds up to 1 Gbps, many have relied on satellite services from Hughesnet and Viasat or fixed wireless options from T-Mobile. While these services provide crucial connectivity, particularly in less accessible areas, the introduction of a fiber-rich network offering symmetrical upload and download speeds represents a transformative upgrade.
Symmetrical speeds are a game-changer for modern households and businesses, enabling seamless remote work, high-definition video conferencing, online education, and cloud-based business operations. The expansion promises to deliver Xfinity's full suite of services, including high-speed internet, the X1 entertainment platform, Xfinity Mobile, and smart home security solutions. This integrated offering is designed to provide a comprehensive digital experience, from streaming 4K content to managing a connected home.
For local businesses, the arrival of Comcast Business services offers access to enterprise-grade solutions, including fast, secure internet, advanced networking like SD-WAN, and robust mobile plans. This enhanced connectivity is expected to foster economic growth, attract new businesses, and empower existing ones to better compete in a digital-first economy.
Igniting Competition in Queen Anne's County
The Centreville project is a key component of a much larger Comcast investment across Queen Anne's County. The company is in the process of a broader network expansion that will ultimately connect over 16,000 homes and businesses in communities including Grasonville, Kent Island, Kent Narrows, and Queenstown. This strategic push into the county is set to significantly intensify competition in the local broadband market.
The current market includes a range of providers using different technologies, from Breezeline's widespread cable network to fiber offerings from EarthLink and Talkie Communications in select areas. Comcast's arrival as a major new player with a state-of-the-art network is expected to challenge the status quo, potentially leading to more competitive pricing, enhanced service packages, and greater innovation across the board as providers vie for customers.
“We’re proud to deepen our investment in Queen Anne’s County by expanding our world-class network to more than 2,300 homes and businesses in Centreville,” said Ray Roundtree, Senior Vice President of Comcast’s Beltway Region. “Our network delivers fast, reliable WiFi both in and out of the home with Xfinity Internet and our wireless service, Xfinity Mobile – keeping customers connected to ultra-fast speeds wherever life takes them.”
A Piece of a Larger Maryland Connectivity Puzzle
Comcast's work in Queen Anne's County is not happening in isolation. It is part of a massive, multi-front investment campaign to expand its network footprint across Maryland, particularly in areas previously considered underserved or having limited provider choice. The company is simultaneously undertaking large-scale construction projects in other parts of the state.
In Hagerstown, construction is underway to connect over 50,000 homes and businesses, with more than 15,000 already able to access services. Similarly, in St. Mary’s County, a project targeting over 30,000 homes and businesses is in progress, with thousands of residents already connected. These parallel efforts underscore a deliberate strategy to build out infrastructure and close connectivity gaps throughout the state, aligning with Maryland's broader goals for universal broadband access.
Residents and businesses in Centreville can track the construction progress and check for service availability at their specific addresses through a dedicated company portal, Xfinity.com/mytown.
Addressing the Broader Digital Divide
While the new fiber-optic lines promise a high-speed future, the expansion also brings the issue of digital equity into focus. Infrastructure is only one part of the equation; affordability and digital literacy are equally critical to ensuring no one is left behind. Comcast aims to address this through its long-standing Internet Essentials program, which offers low-cost, high-speed internet and affordable computers to eligible low-income households.
This private-sector initiative runs parallel to robust public efforts. The state of Maryland, through its Office of Statewide Broadband and the "Connect Maryland" initiative, has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into infrastructure and digital equity programs. These programs aim to combat the digital divide, which still affects hundreds of thousands of Maryland households due to high costs, poor network quality in rural areas, and other barriers. State-funded programs like the Digital Inclusion Grant Program and the new Computer Labs Program work to create public access points and support non-profits that provide digital skills training.
Comcast's own community-focused efforts include the creation of WiFi-connected “Lift Zones” in local community centers, providing safe spaces for students and adults to get online. The effectiveness of these combined public-private efforts will be the ultimate measure of success in bridging the state's persistent digital divide. As the new network becomes active in Centreville, the focus will shift from construction to adoption, ensuring that the benefits of this powerful new technology are accessible to every member of the community.
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