HomeMy WebLinkAboutTelecommunications Board - Minutes - 06/03/2003TELECOMMUNICATIONS BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
****June 3, 2003 ****
*** 6:00 PM ***
Council Liaison:
Kurt Kastein
Staff Liaison:
Liz Stroh
Chairperson:
Lawrence Bontempo
Phone: 484-3980
(W)
The June Meeting of the Telecommunications Board was called to order by the Chair at
6:05 PM.
Present: Larry Bontempo, Curt Cramer, Herb Saperstone, Tim Tillson, Braun Mincher.
Absent: Rob Koellner, David Heiberg
Staff: Eric Dahlgren, Liz Stroh
Guest: Stan Reifschneider, Comcast
Approval of Minutes:
A motion was made by Braun Michner to approve the May meeting minutes as
submitted. Herb Saperstone seconded the motion, which was passed unanimously.
Comcast: Update:
Stan Reifschneider provided an update regarding Comcast activities. The transition
work from AT&T Broadband to Comcast is finished, and long term goals and objectives
are being articulated as the company begins its budget process.
Comcast is continuing the strong branding effort in the metro area, with the goal to re-
emphasize Comcast's core business of video services, and market the commitment to
customer focus. New technologies will be coming that include HDTV (High Definition
Television), video on demand, etc. In a Philadelphia trial, a set top box was tested that
gives subscribers access to on -demand products that are encoded so that viewers can
order the program at any time, fast forward, etc. Comcast is using A&E and a few other
providers to test this service. A remote control communicates with the server at the
cable company head end. Some hardware glitches are being resolved. No specific
date on when this service might be available in the Fort Collins area.
Braun asked about the response of advertisers to being able to fast forward thru
commercials. All agreed that there will be more of an issue in the future as more
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technology is available to eliminate commercials or deliver programming. Competition
with video rental companies will also escalate.
Tim Tillson asked about the cutover from the attbi to Comcast domain for high speed
internet customers. Stan highlighted the implementation plan, and added that e-mail to
the attbi web site will be forwarded until December of 2004.
Larry asked whether Comcast was going to pursue telephony service. Stan responded
that Comcast was continuing Voice over IP tests, but that there would be no entry into
the telephone switched network. This is not the company's priority right now, and it
may be a few years until definite decisions are made.
Tim commented that a focus for video on demand would most likely find a good market.
Braun wondered about market share compared to the dish. Stan didn't have any
comparison numbers, and explained the cable strategy is to focus on smaller
geographical areas where they can tailor services more to the needs and wants of the
communities.
Larry mentioned rate increases continue to cause people to go to the competition. Stan
explained that often the increase in rates is a result of increased operating costs. Curt
asked about the cost of video on demand. The cost would be around $40 per month
and available for the digital basic program lineup. Curt also asked about unbundling
program packages so people could choose based on their individual tastes. Stan
response was that the company is not ready to do that right now, but that the digital
migration that is going on will help position the company should it decide to go that
direction. Braun asked for more information about the digital product. Stan explained
that all basic stations are analog, but that the government mandated conversion to
digital would occur by 2007.
Herb asked about KRMA data -casting, where some digital elements are integrated.
Stan didn't have any information, and will follow-up.
Board members asked for more information about costs. Larry asked for the cost of a
service call — with is approximately $70. Curt asked about the different rates and
packages that are available in different communities, and why a lower cost basic rate is
not offered in Fort Collins. Stan explained that the company is trying to move to a
more standardized line up for the area, which will result in more standard rates as well
as standard programming. He also mentioned that the previous operating area was
divided into 5 sections to try to address local needs.
In response to questions about internet access, Stan explained that all of Fort Collins
has high speed data capabilities, and that there are about 5 to 6 thousand subscribers.
Herb asked how video on demand will apply to PEG stations. He suggested making
that available and indicated willingness for the Poudre School District to participate in a
test.
Other business:
A citizen, Eric Sutherland, addressed the Board. He lives on LaPorte Ave. and
explained that his neighborhood is scheduled to have the electric service
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undergrounded. He asked the Board to support an initiative that would have all
telecommunications services undergrounded at the same time, and encourage the
Board to initiate some collaborative efforts. Stan explained that the cable company
does its best to underground at the same time. Some of the issues have to do with the
Electric Utility moving easements to the front of the property, whereas the cable system
has been engineered to travel in the alley ways.
Mr. Sutherland suggested the City is in a good position to coordinate these efforts,
rather than have neighborhood attempt to work separately with 3 or more agencies.
Adjourn:
Herb Saperstone moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Tim Tillson. Motion
passed unanimously.
adjourn
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