The Saint Paul Public Housing Agency (PHA) and Comcast today announced a significant technology partnership aimed at bridging the digital divide for residents in Saint Paul. This collaboration will equip all 16 PHA buildings with pre-installed WiFi connections to Xfinity's advanced network, making it Comcast's first such partnership with a Minnesota-based housing agency.
With this initiative, more than 2,500 housing units will receive access to Xfinity's fast and reliable network, providing wall-to-wall WiFi coverage. This means residents will not have to schedule a technician for setup, wait for equipment deliveries, or visit an Xfinity Store. Activation can be done seamlessly via a phone call or the Xfinity App.
Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter emphasized the transformative potential of this initiative, stating, "Internet access provides connectivity to 21st century infrastructure, equipping our residents with the tools vital to enhancing opportunities for education, employment, and quality of life. The collaboration between Saint Paul Public Housing Agency and Comcast empowers our neighbors to realize a brighter future."
New and current residents can connect to the Internet within five minutes of moving into their WiFi-ready units, streamlining the setup process for all their devices. One of the first buildings to benefit from this upgrade is the Central Hi-Rise, a PHA-owned property.
"Access to WiFi isn’t just about connecting devices; for us, it’s about connecting PHA residents to opportunity," said PHA Board Chair Missy Staples Thompson. "Making PHA-owned high-rises WiFi-ready can help residents cross the digital divide and open doors to education, employment, and empowerment. We appreciate this partnership with Comcast that will benefit residents and their communities."
The rollout of the Xfinity network will occur in phases. The first two buildings have already been equipped, and the remaining 14 buildings are expected to be WiFi-ready by the end of 2024.
