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City listens to citizens speak on cable service

Date: 12/9/2008

By Natasha Clark

Assistant Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD On Dec. 4 the City of Springfield hosted a public ascertainment hearing to review the performance of local cable provider Comcast.

The city is coming off of a 10-year franchise agreement with Comcast and the mandated hearing gave residents a chance to testify about their cable-related needs and interests.

Kathleen Breck, deputy city solicitor, supervised the hearing at Springfield Central High School. The number one complaint amongst the average of 10 residents who turned out was the lack of channel options coupled with rising prices.

Linda McLaren, of Springfield, testified that many channels are moving basic cable channels to the digital tier.

"The problem I see is that channels are taken away but our bill isn't going down," McLaren said.

Her husband Jim said that Comcast rates are comparable to those of satellite companies. He recommended that the city put the cable license out to bid, adding, "One provider means that they can change what they bloody hell want and people are going to pay it."

Another resident said he couldn't wait for Verizon's fiber optics to come to the area to serve as competition for Comcast. Verizon has a fiber optics network called FiOS TV. It has up to 348 digital channels, up to 100 HD channels, an interactive media guide which offers movies on demand, a DVR and one-touch access to real-time weather, horoscopes and more.

Many residents also suggested that Comcast allow residents to choose the channels they want so they are paying only for what they use.

Resident Jeremy Cole was disappointed in the lack of utilization of the Comcast's public access television studio located in a wing at Van Sickle Middle School on Carew Street. He said an endowment fund created during Comcast's first cable contract with the city gave non-profits and artists funds to produce programs.

Daniel M. Glanville, vice president government affairs Comcast CT/ West Region, said that Comcast is pleased to assist members of the community who wish to utilize the studio at Van Sickle. In addition to the $350,000 state-of-the-art equipment, Glanville said there are also full-time employees on hand.

He agreed that indeed there was an endowment created in the past which was renewed in 2000 and expires in 2010 and is paid to the Springfield Media and Technology Group. Glanville said Comcast has disbursed about $2 million to the endowment, and in the past two years has contributed $377,000 to the city and entities such as the Boys & Girls Club, schools and libraries through donations like video and high speed Internet services.

"We're proud to do that. We're happy to do that," Glanville said, adding that they have contributed in excess of $50,000 to 83 non-profits.

He commented that Comcast is trying to accommodate people as some channels move into the digital sphere by providing free converter boxes to customers. Glanville said that the company plans to create economic packages next year that take into account the economic hardships many customers are facing.

Glanville said that Comcast chooses to invest in the community and has opened a 400-person call center in Enfield, Conn.

Urban League of Springfield President Henry Thomas testified in favor of Comcast's commitment to the community.

"In our view they are a very strong and progressive community organization," Thomas said, on behalf of the League. "I've seen various ways in which they administer and provide support to our community."

Thomas said Comcast sponsors many events such as "Comcast Cares Day." He acknowledged that the Urban League has benefitted from their services as well.

Breck said the hearing will be open for 14 days and any residents willing to testify can send letters and statements to the City Law Department, 36 Court St., Room 210, Springfield, MA, 01103.

There will be another hearing in early 2009.