Topic: Cable TV / DataComm--Internet issues and the re-franchising of Cox Cable.
Dale announced some of the topics of the future meetings-- especially the one with the data manager of SLOnet.
Several people from Cox are attending.
Introductions.
Panel includes Joe Moritz, Tracy Peri, Bruce Smith, David Chapman:
Joe Moritz: Contends that Cable is about media including data, not just television. Since Cox uses a public right of way, we have a right to ask for more than television-- we can demand a return on our public right of way. Used Boulder Co as a good example for how a cable system can be used (for Internet and community media/data).
David Chapman: Advocates cable modems, a growing, improving technology, as the best way to get the most bandwidth to the most people. Contrasts voice modems and ISDN followed by Frame Relay and T1 services as the current hierarchy. Cable modems have dropped to under $400. Some companies are going to provide Ethernet links for $150 per end (UC San Diego). Cable is being used for "dial tone" -- telephone company bypass to long distance carriers. They are also looking to provide high bandwidth fiber rings as hub technology. Cable technology is asymmetric in consideration of the typical Internet Web users patterns.
Traci Peri. Administrative analyst for SB City. The city municipal code for the cable franchise has largely been superseded by federal law. The city doesn't have to award the franchise to Cox even today. They could choose to award the cable franchise to any viable bidder. the current franchise was a 15 year one good through 9/17/96. Increase public access funding started in 1992. Key components include a system upgrade, PEG, Local origination programming, franchise fees of 3%, FM service, and interactive services-institutional network and services.
The renewal process: Informal procedure consists of an ascertainment procedure which includes retrospective and prospective procedures review with a consultant to provide professional assistance. Public hearings are held. The city determines when its enough. These activities are followed by a franchise negotiation. The formal renewal process which happens at the same time has to ascertain in 6 months and complete the process in another 4 months of negotiation. If the city desires, they can extend the current contract for an indefinite period if they feel that they are not ready to complete the renewal process.
Joe noted that the time-line ending in September is too aggressive. Traci defends the schedule.
Bruce: Concerned that Cox will be slowed by the procedures of renewal. Cox can raise their rates at the rate of the CPI four times per year. They pay franchise fees of 3 to 5% and utility taxes of 5-6% as well as other fees coupled to gross revenues. The SB system is a hybrid fiber/coax system. They are committed to voice, data, and video. They currently have about 60 "sheath-miles" of fiber-- the "southern backbone". They are working on another backbone along the foothills. The sheath has several hundred fibers in the bundle. The cable industry is trying to create standards to allow the same "modem" to work across all systems. Cable is very susceptible to interference due to cable faults. What happens when a cable modem malfunctions and interferes with TV for other users? Their current network for SB is engineered for 650 homes per fiber node and can be halved. They have about 30-40 MHz of reverse bandwidth for this. The rest of the county has and extra 200 MHz which is not committed. Their merger with Times-Mirror increased their market all over the US. The affiliation with Sprint is for wireless technologies and telephony services. in Southern Ca. and Az. Cox actually has done a lot of R&D.
Q&A:
What will happen to the 3 free channels with this re negotiation? some are concerned with the loss of the educational and government channels since grades K-12 aren't well represented in this negotiation. Judy Headley is organizing an advisory group to best determine the use of the available resources.
Associated Web Links (Joe's Handout):
Telecomunications Community Access links
Universal Service to Universal Access - State by state telecommunication's policy analysis report on the paradigm shift in citizens' use of telecommunications
Telecommunications Act and general links
Media Literacy On-Line Project
Alliance for Community Media, Executive Director - UNOFFICIAL
Alliance for Community Media, far west region
Boulder Colorado - a serious city
Minutes submitted by Dave Oster (doster@silcom.com)
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