BoC to consider competitive cable TV service in Lower Merion

[giza]

Board of Commissioners to Consider Resolution Approving Cable TV Franchise with Verizon from LowerMerion.org:

Prior to the February 21st Board of Commissioners (BOC) meeting, a special Telecommunications Committee meeting has been scheduled for 7:55 p.m. to consider a resolution to approve a cable television franchise agreement with Verizon. If approved, the Committee’s action will be added to the BOC consent agenda.

Approval by the Board of a cable franchise agreement with Verizon will help to bring cable competition to Lower Merion and give Township residents a choice of cable providers. The Montgomery County Consortium of Communities (MCCC), which is comprised of staff from 32 municipalities including Lower Merion Township, reached an agreement on a master cable franchise with Verizon in June of 2006. Since that time, the Township’s has been in negotiations with Verizon to arrive at an acceptable agreement that also honors the existing Comcast franchise agreement’s “level playing field” provision for competition.

This would be a great thing for consumers in Lower Merion if it comes to pass. Right now, Comcast is the only game in town when it comes to cable TV service. You have only THEIR plans to choose from, and have to take what they give you. Do you only want a few of the educational channels and none of The Shiny Things Network MTV? Too bad, you have to take all of the channels. Do you only watch TV 4 or 5 hours a month? Well that's tough, you still have to pay what everyone else does.

Having a competing cable service in town will mean lower rates and more choices for consumers. Plus, we're likely to see more development in cable technology that is driven by the competition. This could result in better versions of TV on demand service, more channels for cheaper prices, or even tie-ins with Internet technology. For example, it would be really neat to pull up YouTube videos straight from your TV or, with an add-on camera, do two-video video teleconferencing over your TV -- without having to set up or configure a computer.

It'll be interesting to see how this pans out, assuming that the agreement with Verizon goes forward.

Comments

[andrew7782.livejournal.com]

Sounds the same as here.. AT&T wants to penetrate our state with fiber to provide internet and TV, but either Comcast or Charter have deals with each county, and AT&T wants to help get some legislation passed to allow them so they don't have to spend forever negotiating with each county just to provide TV service. We don't have a choice in cable either, and barely in broadband. (Cable, DSL, and wireless broadband around here)

[wildw0lf.livejournal.com]

I wish they would do that everywhere...Cable here is the only game in town too, and I hate paying over $50/mo for basic cable.