A summary of Comcast's broken promises.
🔥 County's Claim: "We treat all infrastructure equally."
Promise: County claims to serve all residents fairly with critical infrastructure.
Reality: Bremerton pays $3.4M for Wave dark fiber for government operations [contracts] while residents suffer 45% packet loss [evidence]. The City gets ultra-reliable fiber for "mission-critical" services. You get 1970s coax. This is Infrastructure Apartheid.
💬 Comcast’s Claim: “We’re investing millions to upgrade Kitsap’s network.”
Promise: In 2023, Comcast announced a Washington-wide push — "investing $280 million..." [source].
Reality: Comcast's own $280M PR doesn't mention Kitsap County at all [source]. Meanwhile, neighboring Thurston County secured a fresh, nonexclusive 10-year franchise [franchise comparison].
💬 Comcast’s Claim: “Service is reliable; outages are rare and resolved quickly.”
Promise: Executive Customer Relations repeatedly told residents issues were resolved or limited to “home equipment.”
Reality: In May 2022, Comcast Business customers documented ~10.5% packet loss on Seattle iBone [forum evidence]. Local traces show 45% loss [PingPlotter logs], echoed in FCC complaints [FCC 8010172].
💬 Comcast’s Claim: “We don’t have a monopoly — residents can choose Wave or others.”
Promise: County talking points often cite “choice” to explain the lack of enforcement.
Reality: Washington law now permits PUDs to offer retail broadband [HB 1336] [SB 5383]. The FCC's Title II framework addresses competition gaps [FCC reclassification].
💬 County’s Claim: “The franchise framework is intact and we’re enforcing it.”
Promise: The County indicates Comcast remains subject to county cable/franchise rules.
Reality: Comcast franchise expired May 2023 [expired], Wave expired January 2023 [expired]. Contrast with Thurston County's enforced franchise [comparison].
💬 Comcast’s Claim: “It’s your modem, wiring, or usage causing the issue.”
Promise: Standard script from support and escalations: power-cycle, home wiring, replace modem.
Reality: Independent traces show 45% loss on backbone [PingPlotter]. The Seattle iBone forum documents recurring loss [45% loss], [4 years documented].
💬 County’s Claim: “Public fiber isn’t meant for residential use.”
Promise: KPUD’s network was described as “middle-mile” for anchor institutions only.
Reality: In 2021, Washington enacted HB 1336, allowing PUDs retail broadband [law]. KPUD has 700+ miles ready [infrastructure]. $12M+ invested [ARPA] [BTOP].