Cox to Invest $120M to Bring Multi-Gig Internet Service to Rhode Island

 
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND – (3/15/22) – Cox Communications today announced the company will invest more than $120 million over the next 3 years to deliver multi-Gigabit symmetrical speeds over high-speed broadband connections to residents and businesses of Rhode Island. More than $20 million of the committed funds will go towards 100% fiber-optic buildouts on the Aquidneck Island communities of Newport, Portsmouth, and Middletown, as well as Jamestown. To date, Cox has invested more than $160 million over the last 5 years in Rhode Island and was the first to make Gigabit service available to all customers in the market.
                                                                                                                                       
This effort is part of a broader multibillion-dollar infrastructure investment to build a 10-Gigabit capable, fiber-based network that will power the next generation of internet users. Expanded fiber to the premise combined with breakthrough enhancements to cable’s broadband DOCSIS 4.0 technology will enable Cox to deliver multi-Gigabit symmetrical speeds in the coming years to both residential and business customers to support a growing host of high bandwidth applications.
 
“It is critically important that Cox and other internet service providers continue to make these investments in our state and for our residents. We thank Cox for this investment in Aquidneck Island and Jamestown and for their overall investment in Rhode Island’s broadband infrastructure,” said Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee. “The pandemic taught us how important this is as we transitioned workplace and educational environments almost overnight. Rhode Island fared better than many states because of the buildout we currently have and the investments the private sector continues to make.”
The business sector of these communities relies on Cox connectivity, with tourism, technology, defense and more contributing to a diverse economic profile. As the company continuously upgrades its network infrastructure, economies of those like Aquidneck Island make ideal locations to implement the next generation of Cox technology.
 
“Today more than ever before, it is absolutely critical that Rhode Island residents and business owners, particularly small business owners who may work from home, have access to next generation internet speeds and capabilities. Today’s announcement will further bolster Rhode Island’s position as having one of the highest rates of high-speed internet access in the country,” said Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. “We also appreciate that this announcement represents an additional investment in the form of job opportunities for Cox employees.”
 
In addition to faster speeds, Cox also provides secure and reliable wifi connections covering the whole home. Cox’s Panoramic Wifi delivers the equipment its customers need for best-in-class wifi that can be easily updated as technology changes. Customers also get control and security through the Panoramic Wifi app with Advanced Security, protecting every device connected to their network. 
 
“This is tremendous news for the City of Newport and all of Aquidneck Island. We appreciate the investment Cox is making in our communities,” said Jeanne-Marie Napolitano, Mayor of Newport. “The entire island will be well positioned for next-generation broadband capabilities with fiber running directly to every home on the island. This is truly an exciting development.”
 
As the largest private telecom company in America, Cox delivers value beyond superior internet and entertainment services in the communities it serves. A recent 2019-2020 economic impact assessment of the company’s operating, capital project and social investment data in Rhode Island indicates that Cox Communications’ recurring operations support more than $850 million in economic output locally, including more than 700 jobs and near $57 million in wage and salary payments. Beyond this, the company’s $1.5+ billion annual capital investment in technology infrastructure generates more than $20 billion in economic output supporting over 55,000 jobs and more than $3 billion in wage and salary payments. Cox Communications also generates over $480 million annually in state and local tax contributions.  
 
“We’re preparing for the next generation of internet uses at home and in business. The ever-growing number of connected devices combined with exciting new applications of technology such as virtual reality learning, autonomous vehicles or even exploring the meta-verse will demand more network capacity and increased speeds,” said Ross Nelson, senior vice president and region manager, Cox Communications. “We are committed to being the internet provider customers can count on to have the speed they need now and in the future.” 
 
About Сoх Communications 
Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through technology. The largest private broadband company in America, we proudly serve nearly seven million homes and businesses across 18 states. We're dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities and the characteristics that make each one unique. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox. 
 
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CONTACT: 
Jeff Lavery 
Cox Communications 
(401) 243-7982 
jeffrey.lavery@cox.com  
 
Bill Fischer
True North Communications
(401) 862-4652
bfischer@tnorthcomm.com