History of Xfinity in Timeline

Xfinity, a brand of Comcast Corporation, is a major American telecommunications provider. Launched in 2010 (previously marketed as Comcast), it offers consumer cable television, internet, telephone, and wireless services. Xfinity represents Comcast's effort to market its services under a distinct brand name, focusing on delivering comprehensive communication and entertainment solutions to residential customers.

1996: Comcast began offering internet services

In 1996, Comcast began offering internet services by helping found the @Home Network to sell internet service through its cable lines.

2002: Bankruptcy of Excite@Home

In 2002, after Excite@Home filed for bankruptcy, Comcast moved approximately 950,000 internet customers completely onto its own network.

2003: Increased cost of Digital Basic cable subscription

From 2003 to 2012, the average cost of Comcast's Digital Basic cable subscription had increased 72%.

2005: Launch of Xfinity Voice

In 2005, Comcast launched Xfinity Voice (formerly Comcast Digital Voice) in some markets. It is a Voice Over IP cable telephony service.

2006: Xfinity Voice expanded to all Comcast's markets

In 2006, Xfinity Voice was expanded to all of Comcast's markets.

September 2007: Definition of excessive use

In September 2007, Comcast defined "excessive use" as the equivalent of 30,000 songs, 250,000 pictures or 13 million emails in a month.

September 2007: Rumors of BitTorrent traffic throttling

In September 2007, rumors emerged that Comcast was throttling or even blocking internet traffic transmitted via the BitTorrent protocol. Comcast initially denied these accusations.

2007: Shutdown of Comcast Digital Phone

Around late 2007, Comcast shut down its older service, Comcast Digital Phone.

2007: Peak in cable television customers

Comcast's cable television customers peaked in 2007, with about 24.8 million customers.

2007: Xfinity Revenue in 2007

In 2007, Xfinity's revenue was US$23.7 billion.

September 2008: Lawsuit filed against FCC

In September 2008, following the FCC investigation, Comcast filed a lawsuit to overturn the illegality of its network management.

October 1, 2008: Introduction of 250 GB monthly bandwidth cap

On October 1, 2008, Comcast introduced a 250 GB monthly bandwidth cap to its broadband service, counting both upload and download towards the limit. Customers exceeding the cap three times within six months risked service termination.

2009: 7.6 million voice customers

In 2009, after completing transition from their old service, Comcast had 7.6 million voice customers.

2009: FCC questions Smart pipe

In 2009, the FCC questioned the practice of separating traffic into separate flows, or Smart pipe, as a possible violation of net neutrality.

February 3, 2010: Re-branding of Comcast services as Xfinity

On February 3, 2010, Comcast rebranded its consumer triple play service offerings under the name Xfinity. Comcast Digital Cable was renamed "Xfinity TV", Comcast Digital Voice became "Xfinity Voice", and Comcast High-Speed Internet became "Xfinity Internet".

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2010: Xfinity Brand Introduction

In 2010, Comcast introduced the Xfinity brand to market its consumer cable television, internet, telephone, and wireless services. Prior to 2010, these services were primarily marketed under the Comcast name.

2010: Comcast overturned the illegality of its network management

In 2010, Comcast overturned the illegality of its network management, as the court ruled that the FCC lacked the authority to enforce net neutrality under the FCC's then current regulatory policy.

2010: Netflix signs agreement with Level 3 Communications

In 2010, Netflix signed an agreement with Level 3 Communications to carry its data. Shortly after, Level 3 and Comcast entered a heated dispute concerning whether Level 3 would have to pay Comcast to bridge their respective networks, in an agreement known as peering.

January 2011: Launch of Internet Essentials program

In January 2011, Comcast launched its "Internet Essentials" program, offering low-cost internet service to families with children who qualify for free or reduced price school lunches. This was required by the FCC for allowing Comcast's acquisition of NBCUniversal.

March 2011: Comcast Creates Solution Provider Program

In March 2011, Comcast created an indirect sales channel called the Solution Provider Program. This enables telecommunications consultants and system integrators to sell Comcast's Business Class services.

2011: Comcast Allegedly Overcharged Customers

From 2011 to 2015, Comcast allegedly overcharged customers $71 million for its Service Protection Plan.

2011: Largest cable internet provider

In 2011, Comcast was servicing 40% of the cable internet market, making it the largest provider of cable internet access in the United States.

2012: Third-largest residential line provider

At the start of 2012, Comcast was the United States' third-largest residential line provider, supplying 9.34 million residential lines.

2012: Increased cost of Digital Basic cable subscription

From 2003 to 2012, the average cost of Comcast's Digital Basic cable subscription had increased 72%.

2012: Modification of bandwidth policy

In 2012, Comcast modified its bandwidth policy, replacing the cap with a data threshold and increasing it to 300GB in some markets. Customers exceeding the threshold were charged $10 for every 50 GB above the limit or could purchase a $30 add-on for "unlimited" data.

June 2013: Internet Essentials participation

As of June 2013, about 220,000 households participated in the Internet Essentials program, out of an estimated 2.60 million eligible households.

2013: 10.7 million Xfinity Voice subscribers

As of the end of 2013, Comcast Digital Voice had reached 10.7 million subscribers.

2013: First quarterly gain in customers

In the fourth quarter of 2013, Comcast experienced its first quarterly gain in cable customers since their peak in 2007. As of the end of 2013, Comcast had a total of 21.7 million cable customers.

January 2014: Broadcast TV Fee charged

Since January 2014, Comcast has charged a Broadcast TV Fee to "defray the rising costs of retransmitting broadcast television signals."

February 2014: Netflix pays Comcast to connect to its network

In February 2014, Netflix and Comcast confirmed that Netflix was paying Comcast to connect to its network. The details of the agreement are not public.

February 2014: FCC announces a new justification

In February 2014, the FCC announced a new justification, but avoided the more extensive regulation required by the common carrier framework.

March 2014: Internet Essentials program extended

In March 2014, Comcast vice president David Cohen announced that the Internet Essentials program would be extended indefinitely.

June 25, 2014: American Broadcasting Cos. v. Aereo, Inc. Decided in Favor of Broadcasters

On June 25, 2014, the case of American Broadcasting Cos. v. Aereo, Inc. was decided in favor of the broadcasters in a 6–3 decision, addressing the question of whether Aereo is a retransmitter and should pay retransmission fees.

December 16, 2014: Xfinity 3D Channel Ceases Operation

On December 16, 2014, Comcast's Xfinity 3D channel on Xfinity cable systems ceased operation. It had been running since February 20, 2011, featuring NBC Sports and Universal Pictures content in 3D format.

2014: Class action lawsuit filed in California

In 2014, a proposed class action lawsuit was filed in California against Comcast, citing violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and similar state laws. The lawsuit concerned Comcast's practice of using customer resources to provide public Wi-Fi hotspots.

2015: Video subscriber gain

In the fourth quarter of 2015, Comcast gained 89,000 new video subscribers, marking their highest gain since 2007.

April 27, 2016: Announcement of data threshold increase

On April 27, 2016, Comcast announced that it would raise its data threshold in trial markets to 1 TB by June 2016.

June 2016: Raising data threshold to 1 TB

In June 2016, Comcast raised its data threshold in trial markets to 1 TB. The decision to raise the cap came following implication of increased scrutiny surrounding them by the FCC

October 2016: Announcement of bandwidth thresholds implementation

In October 2016, Comcast announced that bandwidth thresholds would be implemented in the majority of its markets (outside of New York and the northeast) beginning November 1, 2016. The data usage plan does not currently apply to the Gigabit Pro tier of service, Business Internet customers, customers on Bulk Internet agreements, and customers with Prepaid Internet.

November 1, 2016: Implementation of bandwidth thresholds

On November 1, 2016, Comcast announced that bandwidth thresholds would be implemented in the majority of its markets (outside of New York and the northeast).

2016: Xfinity Revenue in 2016

In 2016, Xfinity's revenue reached $50.04 billion.

April 6, 2017: Comcast Launches Xfinity Mobile

On April 6, 2017, Comcast launched Xfinity Mobile, a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) on the Verizon mobile network.

May 2017: Launch of xFi platform

In May 2017, Comcast launched the xFi platform, a new software platform for its Arris 1682G and Cisco 3941T/3939 modems offering a redesigned configuration interface, remote setup and management via a mobile app, and smart home device integration.

June 19, 2018: Comcast Sued Over Unauthorized Xfinity Mobile Accounts

On June 19, 2018, Comcast was sued through putative class action by an Illinois customer over accusations of opening Xfinity Mobile accounts for customers without their consent.

July 26, 2018: High-speed internet customers

As of July 26, 2018, Comcast had 26.5 million high-speed internet customers.

2018: Xfinity Mobile Surpasses 1 Million Subscribers

In 2018, Xfinity Mobile surpassed 1 million subscribers.

June 2019: Court Rules Against Comcast in Washington State Lawsuit

In June 2019, a King County court judge ruled in favor of Washington State and against Comcast in a lawsuit. Comcast was ordered to pay $9.1 million in penalties and provide restitution to customers within 60 days.

May 18, 2020: Xfinity Mobile Announces 5G Data Plans

On May 18, 2020, Xfinity Mobile announced plans with 5G data.

November 23, 2020: Announcement of new 1.2TB data cap

On November 23, 2020, Comcast announced a new 1.2TB data cap will be implemented for all of the remaining areas in the northeast by March 2021.

2020: Xfinity Sponsors Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway

Since 2020, Xfinity has sponsored the penultimate race in the Cup Series, the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway.

March 2021: Postponement of 1.2TB data cap implementation

In March 2021, the implementation of the new 1.2TB data cap in the northeast was postponed due to pressure from the Pennsylvanian attorney general.

October 2021: Comcast Launches XClass TV

In October 2021, Comcast launched XClass TV, a line of Hisense-manufactured smart TVs based on X1, sold exclusively through Walmart; marking the first X1-based product to be sold directly at retail to consumers.

December 2022: Trial of 10-gigabit service using DOCSIS 4.0

In December 2022, Comcast announced it had trialed symmetric, 10-gigabit service using DOCSIS 4.0.

2022: Xfinity Flex and XClass TV Rebranded as Xumo Stream Box and Xumo TV

In 2022, Xfinity Flex and XClass TV were brought under Comcast's Xumo joint venture with Charter Communications, and rebranded as Xumo Stream Box and Xumo TV respectively.

June 2023: Deployment of 10-gigabit service

In June 2023, Comcast deployed symmetric, 10-gigabit service for selected Gigabit Pro fiber business customers.

December 20, 2023: Xfinity Data Breach Exposes Personal Data of 35.8 Million People

On December 20, 2023, it was revealed that an Xfinity data breach had exposed the personal data of 35.8 million people, including usernames, passwords, and answers to security questions, due to a vulnerability in the Citrix software used.

2023: Executive Leadership in 2023

As of 2023, Dave Watson is the CEO, Brian L. Roberts is the chairman, and Catherine Avgiris is the CFO of Xfinity.

January 2024: Comcast Agrees to Stop Using "Xfinity 10G Network" Branding

In January 2024, Comcast agreed to stop using the "Xfinity 10G Network" branding in a misleading manner after a ruling by the National Advertising Division of the BBB.

April 2024: Rogers Rebrands as Rogers Xfinity

In April 2024, Rogers announced a deeper technology partnership with Comcast and began rebranding its cable TV and internet products as "Rogers Xfinity".

February 2025: Comcast Renews Sponsorship of NASCAR Cup Series

In February 2025, Comcast and NASCAR announced that it would renew its sponsorship of the Cup Series, and that Xfinity would begin sponsoring NASCAR's fastest lap award across its three national series.

May 2025: Xfinity Mobile Renames Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center

In May 2025, Xfinity Mobile became the new naming rights sponsor of Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center, renaming it Xfinity Mobile Arena.

2025: Xfinity Named Official Television Provider of NBA and WNBA

In 2025, as part of NBCUniversal's rights to the league, Xfinity was named the official television provider of the NBA and WNBA.

2026: Comcast Ends Sponsorship of NASCAR Xfinity Series

In 2026, Comcast did not renew its sponsorships of the Xfinity Series after the 2025 season, with O'Reilly Auto Parts later announced as its new title sponsor beginning in 2026.