9/2/2008 CABLE AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE Minutes

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---Mr-.-Chisholm-then-stated--that--he-would-lik6—t6 clari6 that While this is an ascertainment Hearing on cable television matters,there are two related subjects over which the Board of Selectmen has no authorityto regulate. The first is the rates that Comcast charges for its services;the second is the commercial programming that Comcast chooses to show on its cable television systems. Mr. Chisholm explained that the MCAT Board serves in an advisory capacity to the Board of Selectmen and has spent much time in meetings,reviewing requests for funding for many of the advances in technology that the Town presently enjoys. This funding has been provided as a result of the previously negotiated contract with Comcast. Mr. Chisholm said that as vice Chairman of MCAT Board,his responsibility has been overseeing these funds and their allocation. He said that he's sure that without these funds much of the advanced technology the Town of Mashpee has been able to implement would not have been possible. i Mr.Chisholm then asked: Do we have any testimony from members of the pubs is present today? There was none. Mary O'Keeffe,l a hpee's representative from Comcast, addressed the Hearing and offered the following comments: 0 She has had the pleasure of working with this Committee almost 20 years now. 0 License in Mashpee expires November ember 2.9, 2009.. • As of December-2007 they've had 7,779 subscribers in Mashpee. • The cable system is currently capable of 750 M14Z and they offer over 250 cable channels,along with high- speed internet service and Comcast digital voice over the same network. Comcast high-speed internet service is offered at no charge to the public schools in Mashpee and also to the Town 1 ibra.ry. Customer Service Office is in Deer Crossing,Mashpee. Brand new call center opened up within the last 8 ,months in Plymouth to answer many of the calls from Mashpee and the Cape arca. Also have call center in New Bedford. Also other call centers in Chelmsford, Waltham,Medford,Allston,Berlin,CT, and Manchester,Nom, Comcast is headquartered in Philadelphia. Corneast Cable is a division of Comcast, a developer,manager ' and operator of broadband cable network and provider of programming content. Comeast is one of the fading communications,media,and entertainment companies in the world. The company's 90,000 employees serve more than 24 million subscribers and customers. Largest operator in Massachusetts. • Regional offices in Taunton and Plymouth, MA;Division office in Manchester,NIS. MaryO'Keeffe continued by stating that any contractual language within the franchise agreement, such as access operating and capital costs,are passed on to the subscribers. Ms.O'Keeffe said there are four criteria the Issuing Authority must review-in renewing Comcast's contract and she said that for the record she would briefly like to state Comcast compliance to these criteria: • Comcast has substantially complied with the material tenns of the existing franchise and with applicable law. The quality of their service including signal qualities,response to consumer complaints,and billing practices have been reasonable in light of community needs. Comcast has the legal,financial, and technical ability to provide the services and to continue services In the Torn of Mashpee. Comcast will meet the future cable-related community needs and interests of the Town of Mashpee.