PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 1, 2015
/PRNewswire/ -- Comcast Business today announced that it has
recently completed a network investment to bring its full portfolio
of Internet, Voice and TV services to Boathouse Row, one of the
most iconic landmarks in Philadelphia. These services, combined with
the addition of Business WiFi, have already helped to attract more
patrons and create new revenue opportunities for this beloved local
attraction.
Located on the east bank of Philadelphia's Schuylkill River, Boathouse Row
is the site of the historic buildings that house 11 local rowing
clubs. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places,
Boathouse Row is identified as one of the most iconic images of
Philadelphia – second only to the
Liberty Bell. Due to both their historical architecture and the
fact that the buildings are located nearly a quarter mile away from
the nearest major intersection, bringing network services to
Boathouse Row was a challenge that seemed too daunting for most
communications providers in greater Philadelphia.
Founded in 1858, the Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia is the oldest amateur athletic
governing body in the United
States. An all-volunteer organization, the Navy oversees the
activity of Boathouse Row, advocates for the member clubs and the
rowing community, and partners with the City and local
organizations to provide greater access to rowing for the larger
community.
"Our members will row in the mornings or the afternoons, but
they also like the convenience of being in the boathouse before or
after a row catching up on email or conducting business. In today's
society, you need to connect to WiFi. Our community expects it. We
knew we had to improve our communications infrastructure so that
people could have the communications options they require, without
needing to leave to find Internet access elsewhere," said
Paul Horvat, Commodore of the
Philadelphia Schuylkill Navy. "Comcast Business made a substantial
investment to bring its Internet, voice and WiFi services to the
houses along Boathouse Row – without altering any of our historical
buildings or the idyllic landscape – to allow us to finally enter
the 21st century."
As a result of Comcast's investment, nearly all of the buildings
along Boathouse Row now have Comcast Business Internet, which
provides the ability to live-stream training videos and other
content online. In addition to providing faster Internet access,
the service is used by clubs to support video surveillance systems.
Most Boathouse Row clubs are also utilizing Comcast Business Voice,
which will help ensure that new membership inquiries or event
opportunities are addressed promptly. Additionally, Comcast
Business TV allows members to watch various channels, which helps
keep them onsite longer.
One of the most beneficial services being utilized by Boathouse
Row is Comcast Business WiFi, which provides Internet access from
anywhere within the buildings. Also, the addition of several
outdoor XFINITY WiFi hotspots allows Internet access in exterior
areas surrounding the houses.
"Boathouse Row is able to see more daytime use, with people
staying in the club and using the facilities more for professional
meetings, which would never have happened if Comcast hadn't
proactively built out its network to reach us," continued Horvat.
"It's incredibly rewarding to see these buildings getting used in
the way they were intended to be used – for the enjoyment of the
local community – when they were first built so many years
ago."
"In today's increasingly mobile society, people make decisions
about where they eat, sleep and play based on whether that
establishment has Internet access, which was why we made it such a
priority to build out our advanced network to reach the buildings
of Boathouse Row," said David
Dombroski, vice president for Comcast Business, Freedom
Region. "The local community can now enjoy the history and serenity
of this historical establishment alongside the technological
benefits right at their fingertips."
About Comcast Corporation:
Comcast Corporation
(Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) is a global media and technology company
with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal.
Comcast Cable is one of the nation's largest video, high-speed
Internet and phone providers to residential customers under the
XFINITY brand and also provides these services to businesses.
NBCUniversal operates news, entertainment and sports cable
networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television
production operations, television station groups, Universal
Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts. Visit
www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
About Comcast Cable:
Comcast Cable is the nation's
largest video, high-speed Internet and phone provider to
residential customers under the XFINITY brand and also provides
these services to businesses. Comcast has invested in
technology to build an advanced network that delivers among the
fastest broadband speeds, and brings customers personalized video,
communications and home management offerings. Comcast
Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) is a global media and technology
company. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more
information.
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SOURCE Comcast Cable