Comcast’s Network Traffic Increased More Than 75% While Energy Efficiency Nearly Doubled Over Past Five Years

End-to-end network and cloud technologies enabled a 49% reduction in electricity per consumed byte since 2019.

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Comcast today announced that it is on the cusp of reaching the company’s goal to double its network energy efficiency, well ahead of its 2030 target.

“We’ve known for a long time that the future of connectivity is more – more gaming, more streaming, more video conferencing, and, in recent years, more AI,” said Elad Nafshi, Executive Vice President and Chief Network Officer at Comcast. “We’re delivering dramatically more data at faster speeds and greater reliability at the highest quality for our customers, all while conserving the amount of energy needed to power our network. With an ambitious roadmap to meet growing demand, I’m proud of our leadership and progress on network energy efficiency.”

Comcast reported an 11% reduction in energy used to power the network and business from 2019 to 2024, leveraging leaner and smarter technologies that process more customer traffic with less electricity. At the same time, Comcast’s network traffic has grown by 76% from 2019 to 2024, meeting increasing customer demand for data fueled by streaming, gaming, sports, and business. The energy savings combined with network growth have resulted in a 49% reduction in electricity per consumed byte since 2019 – nearing the company’s goal to double network energy efficiency by 2030.

Comcast decreased the electricity per consumed byte from 18.4 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per terabyte (TB) in 2019 to 9.3 kWh/TB in 2024.

The efficiency gains have been achieved through Comcast’s ongoing nationwide network transformation to virtualized, cloud-based technologies that deliver faster broadband speeds and greater reliability with less equipment, less space, and less energy per byte.

“Our network is being transformed to enable customers to seamlessly connect to the AI revolution and to leverage it in their day to day,” Nafshi said. “At the same time, we are building in cutting edge network AI to optimize how we deliver our services with sustainability in mind.”

Comcast is embedding AI and machine learning throughout the network to improve diagnostics and make smarter network performance decisions. This includes enhanced monitoring and issue detection using bandwidth-efficient telemetry data as well as improved network maintenance using real-time issue localization plus predictive and self-healing network intelligence – actions that increase efficiency and improve the customer experience.

Comcast is also driving improvement through accelerated decommissioning of legacy equipment and enhancement of technical facilities – for example, through temperature set point optimization and improved air flow at datacenters.

“Driving energy efficiency is a natural evolution of how we meet growing customer demand and makes great business sense, especially as we make significant investments into our network and collaborate with suppliers to deploy the latest technologies,” said Ryan Capone, VP of Network Facilities & Energy at Comcast. “We've now laid the technological groundwork to deliver a fast, efficient, and reliable customer experience, while preparing to leverage AI to further drive efficiency in the future.”

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication includes estimates, projections and statements regarding plans and goals that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. For more information on these statements, please see https://corporate.comcast.com/impact/environment/forward-looking-statements.