Comcast Willing to Offer High-Speed Web Service to Bel Marin Keys

Business owners in Bel Marin Keys have been frustrated about slow Internet connections for years. It’s at the point where new businesses have elected not to move to the southern Novato business park because of the connection reputation.

A new choice might be coming soon, though. Comcast has scheduled a meeting at noon Tuesday at to discuss the possibility of extending its Internet and phone service to Bel Marin Keys. The chance could provide better service for nearly 400 businesses there.

The businesses have used AT&T, Verizon and other Internet service providers for their web connections, and most are not happy with it, said Dave Losk, a real estate broker who works on Galli Drive. He said the current connection choices create more economic problems for the area.

“DSL is not fast enough, and we’re losing tenants out here because of it,” he said. “I had one recent potential business owner ask if we had Comcast in a building we were offering, and I said no. He said, ‘Well, good luck finding somebody.’”

Losk, of and North Bay Property Advisors, said he believes Comcast will bring its service to Bel Marin Keys if enough property owners and leasing businesses ask for it.

“They need the building owners to bring it in and then the businesses to commit to subscribing to it,” he said.

Mark Buchl, a commercial account executive who handles the North Bay, said about 50 people have said they would attend the Tuesday meeting and another 40 have expressed interest. Several Comcast executives will be there to talk about the service opportunities and answer questions, he said.

“If the people come together and say they want it, Comcast will build it and support it,” Buchl said. “I think it will make it a better business park.”

It would cost Comcast about $750,000 to install a new coaxial system, Buchl said.

To learn more about Tuesday’s meeting, call Buchl at 707-495-7281.