Comcast Business has expanded its fiber-based network in Detroit with a $1.85 million installation of a new 70-mile fiber ring, in line with an industry trend of ramping up investment in fiber.

The new ring encircles the city and can deliver network capacity of up to 100 gigabits per second for local businesses of all sizes in all parts of the city, said Irma Clark, senior director of marketing strategy and development for Comcast Business — a subsidiary of the Philadelphia-based telecommunications conglomerate.

The company now has fiber installed "up and down nearly every street in the city," said spokeswoman Michelle Gilbert. What that means for businesses is better access to ethernet, internet and advanced voice solutions, especially for companies that have data centers, multiple branches or demand a lot of bandwidth.

Gilbert said 10 gigabits per second is the gold standard for the average business, but 100 gigabits will eventually become the new standard as technology progresses and business demands grow.

"In Detroit, in particular, we've made a lot of investments," Clark said. "We recognize that fiber is going to enable the growth Detroit is seeing and is going to meet demands of that growth."

The company would not disclose the total miles of fiber in the city or total number of customers, citing competitive reasons.

Comcast is looking to beef up the fiber infrastructure it has installed throughout Southeast Michigan. In the past two years, it has invested $8.5 million in its fiber-based network across the city of Detroit. It has invested about $37 million statewide over the past three years.

Detroit-based Rocket Fiber, part of Dan Gilbert's family of companies, is also looking to expand its fiber-optic internet services and customer base, as well as its wireless internet technology. Additionally, other companies, such as WOW!, have moved to expand internet services in metro Detroit and beyond.

"As our region seeks to attract more tech pioneers and startups, an investment like this…is one more reason why they should consider Detroit," Peter Chapman, executive vice president of business development for the Detroit Economic Growth Corp., said in a written statement. "Businesses from virtually every industry and of all sizes have the need for robust, reliable bandwidth."

Clark said it might cost Comcast Business customers a one-time fee to connect to the fiber, but the company is usually able to cover the cost. In addition to Detroit, the company has built up fiber infrastructure in Mt. Clemens, Allen Park, South Lyon, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Holland and other cities, with plans to continue investing.