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NSCC Executive Summary CBG Communications, Inc. • Spectrum or Bandwidth Although other system characteristics described in this Executive Summary are important to understand,perhaps the most important is that of system capacity or bandwidth. Comcast's system, as designed and operated today, has a total usable spectrum of 5 MHz to 750 MHz. Simply stated,the system is a 750 MHz system. Further defined, return(or upstream) signals are transmitted between 5 MHz and 42 MHz while forward signals are transmitted between 55 MHz and 750 MHz. This system was considered at or near state-of-the-art when it was last upgraded in the late 1990s. However, systems being upgraded today are using equipment capable of between 860 MHz and 1,000 MHz (I GHz). Although this system is not the most advanced system constructed, it is consistent, in terms of bandwidth,with many systems throughout the country. It is difficult to describe the maximum number of channels, or services,that can be provided on the subscriber network, as the bandwidth utilized for specific channels and services can be determined at the system level. For instance, compression technologies allow for Standard Definition digital TV channels (SD)to commonly utilize one 6 MHz channel to transmit between 7-12 SD channels. Furthermore, 2-3 High Definition digital channels occupy a one 6 MHz channel. In addition,the system is configured and used to provide non-cable TV services, including telephone and Internet service which occupy a portion of the system's bandwidth. The system, as constructed, equipped and operated today, can provide the services desired by Comcast's customers. However, as more services become available (particularly high definition video programming services) and as subscribers' needs and desires increase, Comcast may need to upgrade its system, depending on the length of any franchise renewal term,to gain additional bandwidth in order to provide these new services. Such upgrades could include using new electronic equipment to increase the system capacity to 1,000 MHz (1 gigahertz or I GHz), deploying fiber to the premises or home (FTTP or FTTH) as well as utilizing technologies that conserve bandwidth such as iii