06-09-14-R - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

CBG Communications, Inc. 3 CBG’s Technical Report clearly states the need for the functionality of the HFC I -Net to continue, and for the HFC I-Net to be able to provide HD PEG Access signal transportation. However, the Report goes on to say that “the current HFC I -Net was upgraded over 12 years ago. However, the amplifiers in use date back to the 1980’s. Some of these have been in operation for nearly 30 years. Replacement components are no longer made and it is likely that used replacement parts are difficult - to obtain. Therefore, we recommend that if this HFC I-Net is to be utilized going forward, these amplifiers be replaced, rather than hoping that over the course of a renewed franchise term of 10-15 years, they will continue to operate successfully and replacement parts will be available. CBG recommended that the current HFC I -Net be upgraded or that other forms of signal transportation, that would fulfill the need, be implemented. Comcast in its Proposal, however, merely states that: “Comcast will provide transport of HD PEG programming over fiber where Comcast owned fiber facilities and capacity exist. Comcast will provide transport for SD PEG programming over any platform or facility of Comcast’s choosing”1. Comcast also indicates that it has no plans to upgrade either the fiber I-Net or the HFC I-Net. These statements then do not address the technical needs identified and should be seen as an insufficient response. Use of The Institutional Networks is Non-Commercial Comcast indicated in its Proposal that the I-Net is currently used for commercial purposes. Comcast asserts that the City of Roseville sells I-Net services to other entities in a commercial agreement with those entities. This is simply not true. The City of Roseville works with other cities throughout the Twin Cities area in a cost sharing scenario. The agreement between these cities is for shared equipment and applications and does not include selling access to the I-Net or I-Net services. The Comcast I-Net is used at the discretion of each of the cities to interconnect the city with the shared applications provided by the Metro I-Net. This allows sharing of manpower, applications and equipment such as centralized servers. This also allows access to applications by larger cities at reduced costs and it allows for smaller cities to have access to applications that would not otherwise be cost effective for them. 1 Comcast Renewal Proposal, page 59