Sign-up For Comcast High-Speed Internet After September 6, 2011

The County Meeting

I attended the County Meeting on Tuesday at the Caroline Visitor Center.  I showed up about 15 minutes late and had a really hard time finding a parking space, even though I was on the bike.  As I was shedding my gear, a few frustrated looking people came out of the meeting.  Hint: If you attend these meetings in the future, get there very early.  Cars were parked all up and down the adjoining street and into the Arby’s parking lot.  It made the intersection very dangerous and confusing for some.

Once I got into the Visitor Center, it was packed and the parents trying to quite their kids was far more distracting that the frustrated people who were rudely yelling “we can’t hear you” from the back.  Either way, the room wasn’t very conducive to the meeting and increased the crowd’s frustration.  There was probably around 150 people there and upon hearing that only Carmel Church and Caroline Pines were going to be immediately available, most of the room filtered out.  Hopefully the future meetings will be specific to the subdivision, so that crowds will be smaller and more manageable.

Here’s What I Heard

Regardless of the poor venue, the short message was delivered early.  Comcast is making fantastic progress, but the only orders that are being taken are for Belmont and then Caroline Pines.  It will not be until the end of September / early October before Lake Caroline and Lake Land’or will have access.  The Comcast officials also said that they are shifting from the Fredericksburg office to the Richmond Office and after September 6th, 2011 everyone will be order to services online for all of the neighborhoods.

I’ve been watching the Comcast crews and engineers around the subdivision for the past month and they do seem to be moving right along.  So far they have met all of the promises they made.

UPDATE – Caroline County released this press release today:

PRESS RELEASE

CITIZENS UPDATED ON COMCAST SCHEDULE FOR SERVICE UPGRADES

Belmont, Caroline Pines to Receive Services in September

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 24, 2011

Bowling Green, VA–Comcast updated County citizens last night at the County Visitor Center in Carmel Church on the build out and delivery schedule for high speed internet, HD television and phone service.

Over 140 citizens were told by several Comcast representatives that Belmont and Caroline Pines residents will be receiving service between the first and second week of September.  Communities to the north, such as Lake Caroline and Lake Land ‘Or, are expected to receive service delivery in early October with other service areas to soon follow.

Most of the cable and technical upgrades to existing lines have been completed. Abe Jennings of Comcast estimated that 75% of all fiber lines have been installed to communities.  Splicing old and new technologies, a needed step in serving many neighborhoods, is at 50% completion.

Belmont and Caroline Pines residents will be called on by Comcast sales representatives after September 6.  Those who wish to sign up by phone can do so after September 6 by calling 1-800-COMCAST.  Comcast is shifting office operations from Fredericksburg back to Richmond, delaying direct call in orders for Caroline residents. Until the switch of administrative offices is completed on September 6, orders placed via the 800 number will not be processed.

However, Comcast Direct Sales Manager Joe Minor can accept orders now by calling 703-789-8156, or via email atjoe_minor@cable.comcast.com.

Orders for service were taken in person for Belmont and Caroline Pines by sales representatives at last night’s meeting.

Meetings will be scheduled in the coming weeks at Lake Caroline and Lake Land ‘Or to allow for mass subscribing for the convenience of those residents.  Additional meetings for other communities will be honored by Comcast if requested.

Comcast has indicated that it will provide three tiered high speed internet, 240+ channels of television and phone service.

Contact:

Gary R. Wilson, Director

Caroline County Department of Economic Development & Tourism