HomeMy WebLinkAboutTelecommunications Board - Minutes - 09/18/2006TELECOMMUNICATIONS BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
September 18, 2006
6:00 PM
Council Liaison: David Roy
Staff Liaison: Liz Stroh, Communications and Technology Services; 221-6522
Board Chair: Curt Cramer
Vice Chair: Herb Saperstone
Present: Curt Cramer, Herb Saperstone, Ted Funk, Chip Cushman,
Absent: Larry Bontempo, Robert Reichenberger, David Heiberg
Guest: Stan Reifschneider, Mike Trueblood — Comcast Cable
Staff: Eric Dahlgren, Kraig Ecton, Liz Stroh
Chair Curt Cramer called the meeting to order at 6: 00 PM
Public Input: A Fort Collins resident, Monte Barry, expressed concerns regarding
the availability of Public Access facilities and equipment for Fort Collins. The
current plans as proposed by FC PAN — the City's designated public access
provider — don't include any access for live programming, call -in programs, or
equipment needed to create a program from the initial video taping through the
final editing and production stages. Mr. Barry was also concerned that there may
be an obstacle to public access if people were required to learn how to produce a
program themselves, when they simply wanted an "open mike" to express
concerns. Mr. Barry suggested looking at Denver as a model of Public Access
that seems to be working for the community.
Liz will contact Mr. Barry for more information and discussion, and Curt asked Liz
to contact FC PAN and ask them to attend the next meeting so the Board could
get an update on the progress made toward implementing their proposal for
Public Access.
Minutes: Herb Saperstone moved to approve minutes, seconded by Chip
Cushman. Minutes were unanimously approved.
Comcast Update:
Stan Reifschneider announced that Comcast has reorganized and moved to 4
operating areas. With the purchase of the Adelphia system in Colorado Springs,
new operating areas were created and the Northern Colorado area has been
merged with the Mountain area. Mike Trueblood is the new general manager
and Stan will continue on as the director of Technical operations in the No.
Colorado/Mountain area. This change reflects Comcast's continued emphasis
on customer service and a close focus on the customer.
Mr. Trueblood reported that Comcast Fort Collins current has about 27,000
residential subscribers. About 1700 subscribers changed from the enhanced
basic to the limited basic since that option was available at the first of 2006. Chip
Cushman asked how that ratio compared with Loveland. Mike responded that
about 10% of Loveland subscribers have the basic tier, compared with the 6% in
Fort Collins. He mentioned that in areas where this choice is available, the
percentage tends to increase in areas the longer the option is available.
Mike went on to report on recent enhancements to the Fort Collins Comcast
system. Comcast has recently lauched video on demand, high definition digital
channels in addition to their digital voice service. Overall subscription to
Comcast services has increased in 2006. Curt asked about number portability
for the voice service. Stan explained that is available, although depending on the
previous provider, it sometimes takes longer to make the change for the
customer.
Stan talked about the on -demand service, explaining that for a small amount,
subscribers can have video on demand which provides about 1300 hours of extra
programming, including 8 or 9 programs on broadcast and cable television that
are available anytime the subscriber wants to watch.
Other new services coming include expanding the number of high definition
channels, including broadcast channels, ESPN, Discover, etc. Additional HBO
and Cimemax channels, as well as an additional Latino channel have been
added. Mountain Sports network has also been added to the digital classic tier.
Comcast will be bundling the digital voice, cable and high speed internet
services. Chip asked about purchasing digital voice separately. Stan explained
that the cost is more competitive packaged with the other services. The demand
has been high, and training time for technicians is significant, so Comcast has
been scrambling to keep up with orders.
Ted asked about availability of the high definition format. Stan explained that it's
only available when Comcast has an agreement with the content provider to
provide the program in HD format.
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Herb asked what the cost would be without bundling. Stan responded that if
each service was purchased separately, the cost would be about $130 per
month. Chip asked about Qwest's ability to compete - Stan believes they are a
very viable competitor and that it's important to give people a choice of providers.
Other Business
Curt asked about the progress of wireless service for downtown. Liz explained
that it appears that the City will want to issue an RFP, but that a final decision
has not yet been made.
Herb reported that he's still pursuing the concept of a student intern to research
telecommunications services in Fort Collins and provide a comprehensive list of
those service providers.
Adjournment:
Herb moved to adjourn, seconded by Chip. The motion passed unanimously
Meeting adjourned at 7:30
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