Comcast : COVID-19 Network Update

NETWORK USAGE

We engineer the network for peak capacity to handle spikes and shifts in usage patterns. We regularly invest in our network and have thousands of engineers nationally and locally who work to add capacity where it's needed.

Our network traffic is beginning to plateau in most markets, including those impacted early by COVID-19.

Work from home is driving new application usage growth. Weekday usage is up, driven primarily by VoIP, Video Conferencing, and VPN as people continue to work and learn from home.

• VoIP and Video Conferencing is up 283%
• VPN traffic is holding steady at 39%

'Primetime' on our network (the busiest time of day) looks dramatically different today as the nation settles into new patterns. Since March 1, we have seen a 33% increase in upstream traffic and 13% increase in downstream traffic, still within the overall capacity of our network. Downstream peak appears to be moving from 9 PM to between 7 PM - 8 PM, while upstream peak is moving from 9 PM to between 8 AM and 6 PM in most cities.

Entertainment, streaming, and gaming continue to dominate. Evening and weekend usage is up with customers significantly increasing the amount of time spent watching television and gaming; peak downstream traffic continues to be in the evenings and weekends nationally, on average.

• Gaming downloads are up 35% generally, 80% during new releases
• There is a 35% increase in streaming and web video consumption
• On television, we are seeing similar patterns:
  • +2 viewing hours per day per household
  • +50% VOD hours consumed YOY
  • +250% increase in voice search for 'Free' content
  • We have seen Voice Remote queries top 50 million some days