City of Colorado Springs / Information Technology / Cable Franchise Agreement
Cable Franchise Agreement
The City of Colorado Springs completed negotiations with two cable providers (Adelphia & WideOpenWest) in the year 2000. The completed franchise agreements were presented to and approved by the voters of Colorado Springs on Nov 7, 2000. In May 2003, Champion Broadband petitioned for and was granted a 'Change of Control' of the WideOpenWest franchise. The request was precipitated by the acquisition of WideOpenWest Colorado, LLC stock by Champion Broadband, LLC. Champion Broadband will concentrate on the Colorado market, allowing WideOpenWest to concentrate of their midwest market. Current economics currently preclude Champion Broadband from initiating the infrastructure required to offer cable service in Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs is currently served by Comcast, Falcon Broadband, and PanOptic, Inc./dba/Porchlight Communications. Adelphia Transition to Comcast- As of August 1, 2006, control of the Adelphia cable system serving Colorado Springs was finalized when Adelphia was transitioned to Comcast. According to the terms of the Franchise Agreement, Comcast assumes the obligations of the Franchise and the Franchise remains unmodified and in full force and effect. In November 2006, the citizens voted in favor of allowing Falcon Broadband to be a cable service provider. Falcon will begin to provide cable service in the Spring of 2007. In April 2007, the citizens voted in favor of allowing Porchlight Communications to be a cable service provider as well. The company plans to start providing services in the Spring/Summer 2007.
The responsibility for administration of the franchise agreements has been assigned to the Internal Support Services Department; the cable administrators are Ron Cousar and LaDonne Maez.
You may wonder why the City cannot/will not control the cable providers' decisions to raise rates, or change cable programming service ("CPS"), aka expanded tiers of service. Originally those complaints went to the FCC, later to local franchising authorities. Between 1992 and 1999 the FCC ruled on "CPS" rates. That process ended with the sunset of "CPS" tier regulation in March 1999. The "CPS" tier is now unregulated. CABLE MODEM SERVICE (Internet) is NOT covered under the City's franchise - From the FCC site (http://www.fcc.gov/mb/highspeedaccessnoi/) ?On March 14, 2002, the FCC adopted another major rulemaking, part of a series of actions, designed to promote widespread deployment of broadband services. The FCC settled a debate over the regulatory classification of cable modem service and launched a proceeding to examine the proper regulatory treatment of this service. In a Declaratory Ruling, the FCC concluded that cable modem service is properly classified as an interstate information service and is therefore subject to FCC jurisdiction. The FCC determined that cable modem service is not a "cable service" as defined by the Communications Act. The FCC also said that cable modem service does not contain a separate "telecommunications service" offering and therefore is not subject to common carrier regulation.?
CUSTOMER SERVICE:
The Franchise Agreement gives us oversight authority on how the cable providers use the Public's easements and rights-of-ways. It also gives us some limited authority over Customer Service Issues. If you have a service problem with the cable company, the first step is to contact them. Comcast can be reached at 1.888.683.1000. If a problem can?t be resolved with the cable company, and you live within the City of Colorado Springs city limits the City will investigate the matter on your behalf. Though our authority over cable companies is very limited, we are usually able to assist customers in cooperation with the cable company?s general manager.
TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT:
Cable television regulations are established by the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C.
If you would like more information about legislation affecting cable television, the Federal Communications Commission website (http://www.fcc.gov/) has information including the text of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
To file a complaint or get additional information regarding Cable regulations through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Attn: Media Bureau
Consumer Protection Division
1919 "M" Street NW
Washington D.C. 20554
"Cable Consumer Bill of Rights"
or
Better Business Bureau
25 N. Wahsatch Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
719.636.1155
or
If you have a problem with the cable company that you are having difficulty in resolving
The City's Cable Administrators may be contacted:
via letter:
City of Colorado Springs
Cable Franchise Administration
PO Box 1575, mc 710
Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1575
by phone: 719.385.5927
by email: Conny Oliveira
Or by fax: 719.385.5735
You may contact the following Comcast representative regarding your cable television concerns:
Dave Sered, Director of Government & External Affairs
213 N. Union Blvd
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
719.442.4723(w)
719.243.3249(c)
david_sered@cable.comcast.com
You may contact the following Falcon representatives regarding your cable television concerns:
Ben Kley, General Manager
707 Hathaway Dr.
Colorado Springs, CO 80915
719.886.7906
Kim Corbo, Customer Service Manager
707 Hathaway Dr.
Colorado Springs, CO 80915
719.886.7939
You may contact the following Porchlight representative regarding your cable television concerns:
Robert Athey, CEO-President
2221 E. Bijou St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
719.325-5400
Comcast Website
Falcon Broadband Website
Porchlight Communications Website
Champion Broadband Website
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