Comcast Business will expand its SD-WAN portfolio for small and midsize businesses (SMBs) that have either a single location or multiple standalone locations and need to connect to cloud or software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications, but may not require site-to-site networking.

SD-WAN features now available to SMBs include intelligent traffic steering and direct connections to cloud services, additional security capabilities, and a new pricing model that Comcast said is “highly competitive.”

“Comcast Business’ global SD-WAN solutions are a central component of our secure network solutions strategy,” said Shena Seneca Tharnish, VP of cybersecurity products in a Comcast Business press release.

“With the addition of capabilities that support standalone sites, we are more prepared than ever to partner with businesses of all sizes to tailor solutions that meet their unique needs.”

Comcast Business was recognized as a leader by research firm Frost & Sullivan in its 2022 Managed SD-WAN Services in North America report. At the time, Comcast was touted as the second-largest provider of SD-WAN connections in North America. Frost & Sullivan noted that the provider is “especially successful among enterprise customers with 250 or more sites.”

The firm also gave a nod to Comcast’s strategic acquisition of SD-WAN leader Masergy and “the resultant portfolio enhancements and expanded partner ecosystem for SD-WAN and cloud solutions it has enabled.”

The new capabilities for Comcast’s managed SD-WAN are specifically tailored for companies that lack IT budgets or a corporate network but need to support single locations with cloud connectivity using public Internet services, the company said in a statement.

The provider claims that additional management capabilities to its SD-WAN will enable “low-touch deployment,” and easy installation for businesses low on resources.

And Comcast is not the only provider taking notice of the networking challenges typical for smaller businesses and expanding their portfolios accordingly. For example, Aryaka recently announced enhanced SD-WAN and SASE products specifically designed to meet the needs of SMEs with a new entry pricing of under $150 per site.

Aryaka Chief Product Officer Renuka Nadkarni told SDxCentral that ease of management is another key concern for many small businesses, which is why so many prefer managed services. Dell’Oro Group predicted the untapped networking and security SMB market will grow significantly this year on the backs of providers who can offer managed services.