Comcast Corp. says it has spent $760,000 in Spokane County this year expanding and improving Internet service for businesses and residences and is planning additional improvements next year.

The effort to expand coverage started in the spring and will continue into early 2017, says Walter Neary, senior director of external affairs for Comcast Washington.

Neary says Comcast will spend more money in 2017 on expansion here, though cost estimates have yet to be determined.

Beginning in the spring, Comcast says it’s improved its network coverage in more than 80 different locations across the county to offer high-speed Internet, video, digital voice, and smart-home services to new and existing customers, Neary says.

“Comcast is very aware that communications services are vital in the lives of our customers,” says Chris May, vice president of engineering and technology for Comcast in Washington state, in a press release.

May adds, “We’re always adding capacity to increase what we can offer consumers, and we’re glad to do it to help our customers.”

Comcast says some of the areas where it has added capacity include the 1900 and 2000 blocks of South Riverton Avenue in northeast Spokane, the 5000 block of west Barnes Road in the Indian Trail neighborhood, and the 1000 block of north Hamilton Street in North Spokane.

Other areas in Spokane where service was improved or added include the 100 block of north Walnut Street, 200 block of east Mission Avenue, 6000 block of north Addison Street, and the 100 block of east Hawthorne Road.

In Spokane Valley, Comcast improved service on the 3700 block of state Route 27, the 600 block of south Woodruff Road, and the 3000 block of south Clinton Road.

Neary says the list is just a small sampling of where service so far has been improved or added.

Comcast says its expanded coverage also has covered approximately 100 businesses, with two dozen businesses each on the 500 block of west Riverside Avenue in downtown Spokane and in the Northpointe Plaza shopping area, Neary says.