MEDIACOM - Revision history

Randylyon at 18:08, 15 March 2020

2020-03-15T18:08:48Z

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	~~Being researched~~		[[Image:mediacom.jpg\|left\|thumb\|350px\|]]MEDIACOM. Mediacom Communications Corporation is the USA's fifth largest cable television provider based on the number of video subscribers, and among the leading cable operators focused on serving smaller cities and towns. The company has a significant concentration of customers in the Midwest and Southeast, and is the largest broadband provider in Iowa. Founded in 1995 by Rocco B. Commisso, the current owner of the New York Cosmos and ACF Fiorentina. Mediacom is headquartered in New York and incorporated in Delaware. Formerly a publicly traded firm, it went private in a $600 million transaction in March 2011 and is owned solely by Commisso as of 2011. (1)


	[[Image:mediacom.jpg\|left\|thumb\|350px\|]]MEDIACOM. Mediacom Communications Corporation is the USA's fifth largest cable television provider based on the number of video subscribers, and among the leading cable operators focused on serving smaller cities and towns. The company has a significant concentration of customers in the Midwest and Southeast, and is the largest broadband provider in Iowa. Founded in 1995 by Rocco B. Commisso, the current owner of the New York Cosmos and ACF Fiorentina. Mediacom is headquartered in New York and incorporated in Delaware~~, United States~~. Formerly a publicly traded firm, it went private in a $600 million transaction in March 2011 and is owned solely by Commisso as of 2011. (1)

	Mediacom offers service in 22 states. About 55% of Mediacom's subscription base is in the 60th through 100th ranked television markets. It is the largest cable company in Iowa and second largest in Illinois. (2)		Mediacom offers service in 22 states. About 55% of Mediacom's subscription base is in the 60th through 100th ranked television markets. It is the largest cable company in Iowa and second largest in Illinois. (2)

Randylyon at 18:22, 13 March 2020

2020-03-13T18:22:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:22, 13 March 2020
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	Locally, Mediacom took over the Dubuque cable franchise in July, 2001 and became the fifth cable provider to the city in twenty years. In the terms of the $1.79 billion cash buyout, Mediacom purchased AT&T Broadband cable television systems serving over 700,000 basic subscribers in Georgia, Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. Mediacom also acquired AT&T Broadband's Internet service. The deal resulted in Mediacom, begun five and one-half years earlier, becoming the eighth-largest cable television company in the United States. With nearly 1.6 million basic subscribers in 23 states, the company announced its intention to begin ever-expanding operating and capital investment plans. The purchase fit well with the city's desire to have a state-of-the-art broadband network. Other city officials hoped that Mediacom would reestablish customer service that AT&T had abandoned after its purchase of Tele-Communications Inc. around 1999. (14)		Locally, Mediacom took over the Dubuque cable franchise in July, 2001 and became the fifth cable provider to the city in twenty years. In the terms of the $1.79 billion cash buyout, Mediacom purchased AT&T Broadband cable television systems serving over 700,000 basic subscribers in Georgia, Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. Mediacom also acquired AT&T Broadband's Internet service. The deal resulted in Mediacom, begun five and one-half years earlier, becoming the eighth-largest cable television company in the United States. With nearly 1.6 million basic subscribers in 23 states, the company announced its intention to begin ever-expanding operating and capital investment plans. The purchase fit well with the city's desire to have a state-of-the-art broadband network. Other city officials hoped that Mediacom would reestablish customer service that AT&T had abandoned after its purchase of Tele-Communications Inc. around 1999. (14)

	In February, 2002 Mediacom's current customers would receive a one-time credit for paying past sales tax on their monthly fees. In August, 2001 state revenue officials announced that AT&T's cable internet service had been illegally collecting sales tax since 1999. An estimated		In February, 2002 Mediacom's current customers would receive a one-time credit for paying past sales tax on their monthly fees. In August, 2001 state revenue officials announced that AT&T's cable internet service had been illegally collecting sales tax since 1999. An estimated $1.1 million was being refunded. Rather than have the state process thousands of refunds, Mediacom agreed to the state's proposal to give customers a credit on their cable internet bill for the extra tax collected. Customers who were no longer subscribers to Mediacom could apply for the refund by contacting the Iowa Department of Revenue. (15)
	$1.1 million was being refunded. Rather than have the state process thousands of refunds, Mediacom agreed to the state's proposal to give customers a credit on their cable internet bill for the extra tax collected. Customers who were no longer subscribers to Mediacom could apply for the refund by contacting the Iowa Department of Revenue. (15)

	The hopes for good-will were short-lived. In June, 2002 members of the City Council requested a cheaper basic package. The 68-channel package being offered included three times as many channels as most packages offered in other Iowa communities, but cost three times as much. The interest in a cheaper package hit a peak after the company increased its rates in February by 11.5%. The council went so far as to budget $50,000 for fiscal year 2003 to study setting up a fiber-optic system. Mediacom, however, was not required to offer a cheaper package according to federal regulations which required cable services to provide access to local stations, government and educational channels. When Mediacom took over from AT&T Broadband in 2001 there was a monthly rate charged of $33.13. By January 9, 2003 Mediacom had increased its rates by $8.82. In February, 2003 Mediacom was set to increase its rate for basic cable by 14%. This meant that residents of Dubuque had seen their cable rate between 1996 and February, 2003 increase by 90.7%--more than double the national average. (16) At the same time, Mediacom was offering access to 13 channels for $12.35 per month in Mason City, 20 channels for $9.87 in Cedar Rapids, and 16 channels for $11.49 in Ames versus the $36.95 charge in Dubuque. (17)		The hopes for good-will were short-lived. In June, 2002 members of the City Council requested a cheaper basic package. The 68-channel package being offered included three times as many channels as most packages offered in other Iowa communities, but cost three times as much. The interest in a cheaper package hit a peak after the company increased its rates in February by 11.5%. The council went so far as to budget $50,000 for fiscal year 2003 to study setting up a fiber-optic system. Mediacom, however, was not required to offer a cheaper package according to federal regulations which required cable services to provide access to local stations, government and educational channels. When Mediacom took over from AT&T Broadband in 2001 there was a monthly rate charged of $33.13. By January 9, 2003 Mediacom had increased its rates by $8.82. In February, 2003 Mediacom was set to increase its rate for basic cable by 14%. This meant that residents of Dubuque had seen their cable rate between 1996 and February, 2003 increase by 90.7%--more than double the national average. (16) At the same time, Mediacom was offering access to 13 channels for $12.35 per month in Mason City, 20 channels for $9.87 in Cedar Rapids, and 16 channels for $11.49 in Ames versus the $36.95 charge in Dubuque. (17)
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	The issue was resolved after several months, but reappeared in 2009. The issue was then called "carriage fees." Cable television operation like Mediacom claimed owners of broadcast stations and cable channels were price gouging their customers by demanding ever-rising payments. Content owners responded that cable companies made exorbitant profits by simply re-transmitting their channels. (29)		The issue was resolved after several months, but reappeared in 2009. The issue was then called "carriage fees." Cable television operation like Mediacom claimed owners of broadcast stations and cable channels were price gouging their customers by demanding ever-rising payments. Content owners responded that cable companies made exorbitant profits by simply re-transmitting their channels. (29)

	Officials from both sides expected contract disputes to a recurrent problem. The negotiations, required every three years by federal law, were said to be outdated by the cable companies. Broadcast companies, however, claimed that the rules were working as intended. In March, 2010 a group of cable and satellite TV providers asked the Federal Communications Commission to require arbitration in contract negotiations to prevent broadcasters from blacking out signals during talks. Broadcasters replied they were only exercising their rights to seek payment. (30)		Officials from both sides expected contract disputes to be a recurrent problem. The negotiations, required every three years by federal law, were said to be outdated by the cable companies. Broadcast companies, however, claimed that the rules were working as intended. In March, 2010 a group of cable and satellite TV providers asked the Federal Communications Commission to require arbitration in contract negotiations to prevent broadcasters from blacking out signals during talks. Broadcasters replied they were only exercising their rights to seek payment. (30)

	In April 2010 the cable franchise between Mediacom and the City was ended when the company used a 2007 law to seek a less-restrictive state franchise agreement which the Iowa Utilities Board granted in 2009. The city council directed the cable franchise administrator to implement three options: a legal challenge, explore the possibility of creating a municipal cable system, and negotiating a partnership with Mediacom going beyond the state requirements. Mediacom officials said at the time that the former agreement had the most "onerous" agreement with the City of Dubuque of any in the 22 states they served. It was claimed by the company that higher rates in Dubuque were directly related to what Dubuque had included in its agreement. ~~The~~ company claimed that in other cities the franchise fee was a separate item on the bill. In Dubuque, Mediacom had been required to include the franchise fee in the base rate so that consumers did not know 5% was going to the city. Officials promised the company would "re-engage" the city to create a "community partnership." (31)		In April 2010 the cable franchise between Mediacom and the City was ended when the company used a 2007 law to seek a less-restrictive state franchise agreement which the Iowa Utilities Board granted in 2009. The city council directed the cable franchise administrator to implement three options: a legal challenge, explore the possibility of creating a municipal cable system, and negotiating a partnership with Mediacom going beyond the state requirements. Mediacom officials said at the time that the former agreement had the most "onerous" agreement with the City of Dubuque of any in the 22 states they served. It was claimed by the company that higher rates in Dubuque were directly related to what Dubuque had included in its agreement. Described by Mediacom officials in 2006 as a "marquee franchise," the contract with the city "brought on significant increases beyond the 5% franchise fee paid to the city for the use of public property. Company officials charged that cost factors like the public/governmental/educational access facilities and the I-net were unique to Dubuque compared to other cities served by the company. (31) Mediacom officials also claimed that in other cities the franchise fee was a separate item on the bill. In Dubuque, Mediacom had been required to include the franchise fee in the base rate so that consumers did not know 5% was going to the city. Officials promised the company would "re-engage" the city to create a "community partnership." (32)

	Mediacom was quick in its efforts to enter the Internet revolution of television watching. In 2015 it entered into a contract with TIVO which allowed Mediacom customers to purchase "Xstream packages" allow them to view television on more devices. The company soon formed partnerships with Netflix and Hulu that improved their video and broadband customers' connection. (32)		Mediacom was quick in its efforts to enter the Internet revolution of television watching. In 2015 it entered into a contract with TIVO which allowed Mediacom customers to purchase "Xstream packages" allow them to view television on more devices. The company soon formed partnerships with Netflix and Hulu that improved their video and broadband customers' connection. (33)

	In December 20, 2010 four of Dubuque's local-access television channels changed locations when Mediacom began transmitting those channels in a digital format. Subscribers still using analog televisions who had not obtained a digital tuner would not be able to view those channels. Mediacom officials announced that the company would be totally digital in 2011. The change was mandated by Congress since analog technology used more broadcast spectrum than digital. The rapid expansion of wireless technology had strained existing infrastructure while the change would free up space for public safety communications and make interactive video and data services which analog could not carry more accessible. (33)		In December 20, 2010 four of Dubuque's local-access television channels changed locations when Mediacom began transmitting those channels in a digital format. Subscribers still using analog televisions who had not obtained a digital tuner would not be able to view those channels. Mediacom officials announced that the company would be totally digital in 2011. The change was mandated by Congress since analog technology used more broadcast spectrum than digital. The rapid expansion of wireless technology had strained existing infrastructure while the change would free up space for public safety communications and make interactive video and data services which analog could not carry more accessible. (34)

	The interest is creating a municipality-operated internet service, first mentioned in 2002, reappeared in 2018. A petition was presented to the council by the Campaign for Dubuque Municipal Internet asking the city to establish a municipal broadband utility. The group argued that a city-owned service would protect privacy and "net neutrality", the idea that everyone should have equal access to the internet content. [[LYONS, David J.\|David J. LYONS]], sustainability consultant for the [[GREATER DUBUQUE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION]], explained that such an operation would need to have a market share at least as large or larger than any other carrier. Lyons further explained that to provide universal access with fiber or fiber-like connectivity would potentially cost between $30 to $40 million in first-year expenses. (34)		The interest is creating a municipality-operated internet service, first mentioned in 2002, reappeared in 2018. A petition was presented to the council by the Campaign for Dubuque Municipal Internet asking the city to establish a municipal broadband utility. The group argued that a city-owned service would protect privacy and "net neutrality", the idea that everyone should have equal access to the internet content. [[LYONS, David J.\|David J. LYONS]], sustainability consultant for the [[GREATER DUBUQUE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION]], explained that such an operation would need to have a market share at least as large or larger than any other carrier. Lyons further explained that to provide universal access with fiber or fiber-like connectivity would potentially cost between $30 to $40 million in first-year expenses. (35)

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	30. Piper, Andy, "Cable Fight Likely Just Warming Up," ''Telegraph Herald'', April 5, 2010, p. 1		30. Piper, Andy, "Cable Fight Likely Just Warming Up," ''Telegraph Herald'', April 5, 2010, p. 1

	31. ~~Piper~~, ~~Andy~~, "Cable ~~Law Too Late to Aid Dubuque~~," ''Telegraph Herald'', ~~April 1~~, ~~2010~~, p. 1		31. Kundert, Rob, "Cable Going Up $4," ''Telegraph Herald'', March 15, 2006, p. 1A

	32. ~~Montgomery~~, ~~Jeff~~, "~~Changing Views on TV Viewing~~," Telegraph Herald, ~~March 13~~, ~~2016~~, p. 45		32. Piper, Andy, "Cable Law Too Late to Aid Dubuque," ''Telegraph Herald'', April 1, 2010, p. 1

	33. ~~Piper~~, ~~Andy~~, "~~4 Channels Will Move, Go Digital~~," ''Telegraph Herald'', ~~December 17~~, ~~2010~~, p. 1		33. Montgomery, Jeff, "Changing Views on TV Viewing," Telegraph Herald, March 13, 2016, p. 45

	34. Hinga, Allie, "Price Tag for City Internet: $30 Million," ''Telegraph Herald'', June 2, 2018, p. 1		34. Piper, Andy, "4 Channels Will Move, Go Digital," ''Telegraph Herald'', December 17, 2010, p. 1

			35. Hinga, Allie, "Price Tag for City Internet: $30 Million," ''Telegraph Herald'', June 2, 2018, p. 1

	[[Category: Legal Jurisdiction]]		[[Category: Legal Jurisdiction]]
	[[Category: Communication Systems]]		[[Category: Communication Systems]]

Randylyon at 17:34, 12 March 2020

2020-03-12T17:34:58Z

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Randylyon at 17:07, 12 March 2020

2020-03-12T17:07:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:07, 12 March 2020
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	MEDIACOM. Mediacom Communications Corporation is the USA's fifth largest cable television provider based on the number of video subscribers, and among the leading cable operators focused on serving smaller cities and towns. The company has a significant concentration of customers in the Midwest and Southeast, and is the largest broadband provider in Iowa. Founded in 1995 by Rocco B. Commisso, the current owner of the New York Cosmos and ACF Fiorentina. Mediacom is headquartered in New York and incorporated in Delaware, United States. Formerly a publicly traded firm, it went private in a $600 million transaction in March 2011 and is owned solely by Commisso as of 2011. (1)		[[Image:mediacom.jpg\|left\|thumb\|350px\|]]MEDIACOM. Mediacom Communications Corporation is the USA's fifth largest cable television provider based on the number of video subscribers, and among the leading cable operators focused on serving smaller cities and towns. The company has a significant concentration of customers in the Midwest and Southeast, and is the largest broadband provider in Iowa. Founded in 1995 by Rocco B. Commisso, the current owner of the New York Cosmos and ACF Fiorentina. Mediacom is headquartered in New York and incorporated in Delaware, United States. Formerly a publicly traded firm, it went private in a $600 million transaction in March 2011 and is owned solely by Commisso as of 2011. (1)

	Mediacom offers service in 22 states. About 55% of Mediacom's subscription base is in the 60th through 100th ranked television markets. It is the largest cable company in Iowa and second largest in Illinois. (2)		Mediacom offers service in 22 states. About 55% of Mediacom's subscription base is in the 60th through 100th ranked television markets. It is the largest cable company in Iowa and second largest in Illinois. (2)

Randylyon at 17:04, 12 March 2020

2020-03-12T17:04:05Z

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Randylyon at 16:14, 12 March 2020

2020-03-12T16:14:22Z

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Randylyon at 19:51, 9 March 2020

2020-03-09T19:51:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:51, 9 March 2020
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	In 2006 Mediacom officials announced that the company would annually contribute $25,000 to the Dubuque arts community through a plan administered by the [[COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER DUBUQUE]]. Grant applications would be filed in mid-summer with the Mediacom Cultural Foundation announcing winners in October. Organizations applying for grants less than $2,500 would not be required to meet matching requirements. Those applying for the maximum $5,000 would have to raise a matching amount. The program was not part of the franchise agreement with the City. (20) By 2019 the program had increased to over $27,000. The same year, Mediacom officials announced that the company for the fifth year was offering $1,000 in scholarship support to fifty students living in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and South Dakota. (21)		In 2006 Mediacom officials announced that the company would annually contribute $25,000 to the Dubuque arts community through a plan administered by the [[COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER DUBUQUE]]. Grant applications would be filed in mid-summer with the Mediacom Cultural Foundation announcing winners in October. Organizations applying for grants less than $2,500 would not be required to meet matching requirements. Those applying for the maximum $5,000 would have to raise a matching amount. The program was not part of the franchise agreement with the City. (20) By 2019 the program had increased to over $27,000. The same year, Mediacom officials announced that the company for the fifth year was offering $1,000 in scholarship support to fifty students living in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and South Dakota. (21)

	~~Competition of Mediacom benefited from a battle of~~ the ~~the company with Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc., another giant of the industry. Early~~ in ~~January~~, ~~2007 Sinclair pulled 22 of its broadcast stations, including KGAN-TV a CBS affiliate from Cedar Rapids, from the Mediacom lineup~~. ~~Sinclair wanted more money for their transmissions than~~ Mediacom ~~wanted~~ to ~~pay. To increase pressure on Mediacom, Sinclair agreed~~ to offer ~~rebates to DirectTV, a Mediacom competitor, to new subscribers~~. ~~DirectTV claimed new customer accounts rose 70% in northeast Iowa between September~~ and ~~December~~. ~~(22) As~~ this ~~occurred,~~ Mediacom ~~announced a price hike on certain monthly fees~~. (23)		An article in the ''Telegraph Herald'' in 2006 began, "Hell froze over." Mediacom and the cities it served found themselves allies when Qwesr Communications and the state's independent telephone companies proposed legislation that would allow the companies to apply for a statewide telecommunication franchise instead of negotiating with each community to offer video. Opponents said the legislation would eliminate local control and regulatory oversight. Ironically after the legislation became law, this law was later used by Mediacom against the City of Dubuque. (22)

	~~Medacom looked~~ to ~~state and federal lawmakers in resolving the issue. Six Iowa state senators expressed disappointment that officials~~ from ~~Sinclair refused to attend~~ a ~~meeting~~ with the ~~legislature's Joint Government Oversight Committee~~. ~~At the end~~ of the ~~month~~, Mediacom ~~officials said they would be willing~~ to ~~settle for the same terms that Sinclair had reached with Time Warner Cable~~. (24)		Competition to Mediacom benefited from a battle of the the company with Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc., another giant of the industry. Early in January, 2007 Sinclair pulled 22 of its broadcast stations, including KGAN-TV a CBS affiliate from Cedar Rapids, from the Mediacom lineup. Sinclair wanted more money for their transmissions than Mediacom wanted to pay. To increase pressure on Mediacom, Sinclair agreed to offer rebates to DirectTV, a Mediacom competitor, to new subscribers. DirectTV claimed new customer accounts rose 70% in northeast Iowa between September and December. (23) As this occurred, Mediacom announced a price hike on certain monthly fees. (24)

	~~The~~ issue ~~was resolved after several months, but reappeared in 2009~~. ~~The issue was then called "carriage fees~~.~~" Cable television operation like~~ Mediacom ~~claimed owners of broadcast stations and cable channels were price gouging their customers by demanding ever-rising payments. Content owners responded~~ that ~~cable companies made exorbitant profits by simply re-transmitting their channels~~. (25)		Medacom looked to state and federal lawmakers in resolving the issue. Six Iowa state senators expressed disappointment that officials from Sinclair refused to attend a meeting with the legislature's Joint Government Oversight Committee. At the end of the month, Mediacom officials said they would be willing to settle for the same terms that Sinclair had reached with Time Warner Cable. (25)

	~~Officials from both sides expected contract disputes to a recurrent problem~~. The ~~negotiations, required every three years by federal law,~~ were ~~said to be outdated~~ by ~~the cable companies~~. ~~Broadcast companies, however, claimed~~ that ~~the rules were working as intended. In March, 2010 a group of~~ cable and satellite TV providers asked the Federal Communications Commission to require arbitration in contract negotiations to prevent broadcasters from blacking out signals during talks. Broadcasters replied they were only exercising their ~~rights to seek payment~~. (26)		The issue was resolved after several months, but reappeared in 2009. The issue was then called "carriage fees." Cable television operation like Mediacom claimed owners of broadcast stations and cable channels were price gouging their customers by demanding ever-rising payments. Content owners responded that cable companies made exorbitant profits by simply re-transmitting their channels. (26)

	~~In April 2010 the cable franchise between Mediacom and the City was ended when the company used a 2007 law~~ to ~~seek~~ a ~~less-restrictive state franchise agreement which the Iowa Utilities Board granted in 2009~~. The ~~city council directed the cable franchise administrator to implement~~ three ~~options: a legal challenge~~, ~~explore the possibility of creating a municipal cable system, and negotiating a partnership with Mediacom going beyond the state requirements. Mediacom officials~~ said ~~at the time that the former agreement had the most "onerous" agreement with the City of Dubuque of any in the 22 states they served. It was claimed~~ by the ~~company that higher rates in Dubuque were directly related to what Dubuque had included in its agreement~~. ~~The company~~ claimed that ~~in other cities~~ the ~~franchise fee was a separate item on the bill~~. In ~~Dubuque~~, ~~Mediacom had been required~~ to ~~include the franchise fee~~ in ~~the base rate so that consumers did not know 5% was going~~ to ~~the city~~. ~~Officials promised the company would "re-engage" the city~~ to ~~create a "community partnership~~." (27)		Officials from both sides expected contract disputes to a recurrent problem. The negotiations, required every three years by federal law, were said to be outdated by the cable companies. Broadcast companies, however, claimed that the rules were working as intended. In March, 2010 a group of cable and satellite TV providers asked the Federal Communications Commission to require arbitration in contract negotiations to prevent broadcasters from blacking out signals during talks. Broadcasters replied they were only exercising their rights to seek payment. (27)

	In ~~December 20,~~ 2010 ~~four of Dubuque's local~~-~~access television channels changed locations when Mediacom began transmitting those channels~~ in a ~~digital format. Subscribers still using analog televisions who had not obtained~~ a ~~digital tuner would not be able to view those channels~~. Mediacom officials ~~announced~~ that the company ~~would be totally digital~~ in ~~2011~~. The ~~change~~ was ~~mandated by Congress since analog technology used more broadcast spectrum than digital~~. ~~The rapid expansion of wireless technology~~ had ~~strained existing infrastructure while~~ the ~~change~~ would ~~free up space for public safety communications and make interactive video and data servies which analog could not carry more accessible~~. (28)		In April 2010 the cable franchise between Mediacom and the City was ended when the company used a 2007 law to seek a less-restrictive state franchise agreement which the Iowa Utilities Board granted in 2009. The city council directed the cable franchise administrator to implement three options: a legal challenge, explore the possibility of creating a municipal cable system, and negotiating a partnership with Mediacom going beyond the state requirements. Mediacom officials said at the time that the former agreement had the most "onerous" agreement with the City of Dubuque of any in the 22 states they served. It was claimed by the company that higher rates in Dubuque were directly related to what Dubuque had included in its agreement. The company claimed that in other cities the franchise fee was a separate item on the bill. In Dubuque, Mediacom had been required to include the franchise fee in the base rate so that consumers did not know 5% was going to the city. Officials promised the company would "re-engage" the city to create a "community partnership." (28)

	The interest is creating a municipality-operated internet service, first mentioned in 2002, reappeared in 2018. A petition was presented to the council by the Campaign for Dubuque Municipal Internet asking the city to establish a municipal broadband utility. The group argued that a city-owned service would protect privacy and "net neutrality", the idea that everyone should have equal access to the internet content. [[LYONS, David J.\|David J. LYONS]], sustainability consultant for the [[GREATER DUBUQUE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION]], explained that such an operation would need to have a market share at least as large or larger than any other carrier. Lyons further explained that to provide universal access with fiber or fiber-like connectivity would potentially cost between $30 to $40 million in first-year expenses. (29)		In December 20, 2010 four of Dubuque's local-access television channels changed locations when Mediacom began transmitting those channels in a digital format. Subscribers still using analog televisions who had not obtained a digital tuner would not be able to view those channels. Mediacom officials announced that the company would be totally digital in 2011. The change was mandated by Congress since analog technology used more broadcast spectrum than digital. The rapid expansion of wireless technology had strained existing infrastructure while the change would free up space for public safety communications and make interactive video and data servies which analog could not carry more accessible. (29)

			The interest is creating a municipality-operated internet service, first mentioned in 2002, reappeared in 2018. A petition was presented to the council by the Campaign for Dubuque Municipal Internet asking the city to establish a municipal broadband utility. The group argued that a city-owned service would protect privacy and "net neutrality", the idea that everyone should have equal access to the internet content. [[LYONS, David J.\|David J. LYONS]], sustainability consultant for the [[GREATER DUBUQUE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION]], explained that such an operation would need to have a market share at least as large or larger than any other carrier. Lyons further explained that to provide universal access with fiber or fiber-like connectivity would potentially cost between $30 to $40 million in first-year expenses. (30)

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	21. "Mediacom Will Award $1,000 Each to 50 Seniors," ''Telegraph Herald'', February 25, 2006, p. 27		21. "Mediacom Will Award $1,000 Each to 50 Seniors," ''Telegraph Herald'', February 25, 2006, p. 27

	22. Kittle, M.D., "Spat Benefits DirectTV," ''Telegraph Herald'', January 30, 2007, p. 1		22. Kundert, Rob, "Mediacom, Cities Become Unlikely Bedfellows," ''Telegraph Herald'', March 24, 2006, p. 1

			23. Kittle, M.D., "Spat Benefits DirectTV," ''Telegraph Herald'', January 30, 2007, p. 1

	23. Kundert, Rob, "Mediacom Plans Increase on Fees, Premium Services," ''Telegraph Herald'', January 30, 2007, p. 1		24. Kundert, Rob, "Mediacom Plans Increase on Fees, Premium Services," ''Telegraph Herald'', January 30, 2007, p. 1

	24. "Mediacom Wants Same Deal as Time Warner," ''Telegraph Herald'', January 22, 2007, p. 9		25. "Mediacom Wants Same Deal as Time Warner," ''Telegraph Herald'', January 22, 2007, p. 9

	25. "Cable Fight Could Black Out Hawks," ''Telegraph Herald'', December 18, 2009, p. 13		26. "Cable Fight Could Black Out Hawks," ''Telegraph Herald'', December 18, 2009, p. 13

	26. Piper, Andy, "Cable Fight Likely Just Warming Up," ''Telegraph Herald'', April 5, 2010, p. 1		27. Piper, Andy, "Cable Fight Likely Just Warming Up," ''Telegraph Herald'', April 5, 2010, p. 1

	27. Piper, Andy, "Cable Law Too Late to Aid Dubuque," ''Telegraph Herald'', April 1, 2010, p. 1		27. Piper, Andy, "Cable Law Too Late to Aid Dubuque," ''Telegraph Herald'', April 1, 2010, p. 1

Randylyon at 19:19, 9 March 2020

2020-03-09T19:19:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:19, 9 March 2020
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	Medacom looked to state and federal lawmakers in resolving the issue. Six Iowa state senators expressed disappointment that officials from Sinclair refused to attend a meeting with the legislature's Joint Government Oversight Committee. At the end of the month, Mediacom officials said they would be willing to settle for the same terms that Sinclair had reached with Time Warner Cable. (24)		Medacom looked to state and federal lawmakers in resolving the issue. Six Iowa state senators expressed disappointment that officials from Sinclair refused to attend a meeting with the legislature's Joint Government Oversight Committee. At the end of the month, Mediacom officials said they would be willing to settle for the same terms that Sinclair had reached with Time Warner Cable. (24)

	The issue was resolved after several months, but reappeared in 2009. The issue was then called "carriage fees." Cable television operation like Mediacom claimed owners of broadcast stations and cable channels were price gouging their customers by demanding ever-rising payments. Content owners responded that cable companies made exorbitant profits by simply ~~retransmitting~~ their channels. (25)		The issue was resolved after several months, but reappeared in 2009. The issue was then called "carriage fees." Cable television operation like Mediacom claimed owners of broadcast stations and cable channels were price gouging their customers by demanding ever-rising payments. Content owners responded that cable companies made exorbitant profits by simply re-transmitting their channels. (25)

	~~In April 2010 the cable franchise between Mediacom and the City was ended when the company used a 2007 law~~ to ~~seek~~ a ~~less-restrictive state franchise agreement which the Iowa Utilities Board granted in 2009~~. The ~~city council directed the cable franchise administrator to implement~~ three ~~options: a legal challenge~~, ~~explore the possibility of creating a municipal cable system, and negotiating a partnership with Mediacom going beyond the state requirements. Mediacom officials~~ said ~~at the time that the former agreement had the most "onerous" agreement with the City of Dubuque of any in the 22 states they served. It was claimed~~ by the ~~company that higher rates in Dubuque were directly related to what Dubuque had included in its agreement~~. ~~The company~~ claimed that ~~in other cities~~ the ~~franchise fee was a separate item on the bill~~. In ~~Dubuque~~, ~~Mediacom had been required~~ to ~~include the franchise fee~~ in ~~the base rate so that consumers did not know 5% ws going~~ to ~~the city~~. ~~Officials promised the company would "re-engage" the city~~ to ~~create a "community partnership~~." (26)		Officials from both sides expected contract disputes to a recurrent problem. The negotiations, required every three years by federal law, were said to be outdated by the cable companies. Broadcast companies, however, claimed that the rules were working as intended. In March, 2010 a group of cable and satellite TV providers asked the Federal Communications Commission to require arbitration in contract negotiations to prevent broadcasters from blacking out signals during talks. Broadcasters replied they were only exercising their rights to seek payment. (26)

	In ~~December 20,~~ 2010 ~~four of Dubuque's local~~-~~access television channels changed locations when Mediacom began transmitting those channels~~ in a ~~digital format. Subscribers still using analog televisions who had not obtained~~ a ~~digital tuner would not be able to view those channels~~. Mediacom officials ~~announced~~ that the company ~~would be totally digital~~ in ~~2011~~. The ~~change~~ was ~~mandated by Congress since analog technology used more broadcast spectrum than digital~~. ~~The rapid expansion of wireless technology~~ had ~~strained existing infrastructure while~~ the ~~change~~ would ~~free up space for public safety communications and make interactive video and data servies which analog could not carry more accessible~~. (27)		In April 2010 the cable franchise between Mediacom and the City was ended when the company used a 2007 law to seek a less-restrictive state franchise agreement which the Iowa Utilities Board granted in 2009. The city council directed the cable franchise administrator to implement three options: a legal challenge, explore the possibility of creating a municipal cable system, and negotiating a partnership with Mediacom going beyond the state requirements. Mediacom officials said at the time that the former agreement had the most "onerous" agreement with the City of Dubuque of any in the 22 states they served. It was claimed by the company that higher rates in Dubuque were directly related to what Dubuque had included in its agreement. The company claimed that in other cities the franchise fee was a separate item on the bill. In Dubuque, Mediacom had been required to include the franchise fee in the base rate so that consumers did not know 5% was going to the city. Officials promised the company would "re-engage" the city to create a "community partnership." (27)

	The interest is creating a municipality-operated internet service, first mentioned in 2002, reappeared in 2018. A petition was presented to the council by the Campaign for Dubuque Municipal Internet asking the city to establish a municipal broadband utility. The group argued that a city-owned service would protect privacy and "net neutrality", the idea that everyone should have equal access to the internet content. [[LYONS, David J.\|David J. LYONS]], sustainability consultant for the [[GREATER DUBUQUE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION]], explained that such an operation would need to have a market share at least as large or larger than any other carrier. Lyons further explained that to provide universal access with fiber or fiber-like connectivity would potentially cost between $30 to $40 million in first-year expenses. (28)		In December 20, 2010 four of Dubuque's local-access television channels changed locations when Mediacom began transmitting those channels in a digital format. Subscribers still using analog televisions who had not obtained a digital tuner would not be able to view those channels. Mediacom officials announced that the company would be totally digital in 2011. The change was mandated by Congress since analog technology used more broadcast spectrum than digital. The rapid expansion of wireless technology had strained existing infrastructure while the change would free up space for public safety communications and make interactive video and data servies which analog could not carry more accessible. (28)

			The interest is creating a municipality-operated internet service, first mentioned in 2002, reappeared in 2018. A petition was presented to the council by the Campaign for Dubuque Municipal Internet asking the city to establish a municipal broadband utility. The group argued that a city-owned service would protect privacy and "net neutrality", the idea that everyone should have equal access to the internet content. [[LYONS, David J.\|David J. LYONS]], sustainability consultant for the [[GREATER DUBUQUE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION]], explained that such an operation would need to have a market share at least as large or larger than any other carrier. Lyons further explained that to provide universal access with fiber or fiber-like connectivity would potentially cost between $30 to $40 million in first-year expenses. (29)

	---		---
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	25. "Cable Fight Could Black Out Hawks," ''Telegraph Herald'', December 18, 2009, p. 13		25. "Cable Fight Could Black Out Hawks," ''Telegraph Herald'', December 18, 2009, p. 13

	26. Piper, Andy, "Cable Law Too Late to Aid Dubuque," ''Telegraph Herald'', April 1, 2010, p. 1		26. Piper, Andy, "Cable Fight Likely Just Warming Up," ''Telegraph Herald'', April 5, 2010, p. 1

			27. Piper, Andy, "Cable Law Too Late to Aid Dubuque," ''Telegraph Herald'', April 1, 2010, p. 1

	27. Piper, Andy, "4 Channels Will Move, Go Digital," ''Telegraph Herald'', December 17, 2010, p. 1		28. Piper, Andy, "4 Channels Will Move, Go Digital," ''Telegraph Herald'', December 17, 2010, p. 1

	28. Hinga, Allie, "Price Tag for City Internet: $30 Million," ''Telegraph Herald'', June 2, 2018, p. 1		29. Hinga, Allie, "Price Tag for City Internet: $30 Million," ''Telegraph Herald'', June 2, 2018, p. 1

	[[Category: Legal Jurisdiction]]		[[Category: Legal Jurisdiction]]
	[[Category: Communication Systems]]		[[Category: Communication Systems]]

Randylyon at 01:54, 8 March 2020

2020-03-08T01:54:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:54, 8 March 2020
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	Medacom looked to state and federal lawmakers in resolving the issue. Six Iowa state senators expressed disappointment that officials from Sinclair refused to attend a meeting with the legislature's Joint Government Oversight Committee. At the end of the month, Mediacom officials said they would be willing to settle for the same terms that Sinclair had reached with Time Warner Cable. (24)		Medacom looked to state and federal lawmakers in resolving the issue. Six Iowa state senators expressed disappointment that officials from Sinclair refused to attend a meeting with the legislature's Joint Government Oversight Committee. At the end of the month, Mediacom officials said they would be willing to settle for the same terms that Sinclair had reached with Time Warner Cable. (24)

	The issue was resolved after several months, but reappeared in 2009. The issue was then called "carriage fees." Cable television operation like Mediacom claimed owners of broadcast stations and cable channels were price gouging their customers by demanding ever-rising payments. Content owners responded that cable companies made exorbitant profits by simply retransmitting their channels~~. At stake were several popular television series as well as the Super Bowl and the Orange Bowl featuring Iowa and Georgia Tech~~. (25)		The issue was resolved after several months, but reappeared in 2009. The issue was then called "carriage fees." Cable television operation like Mediacom claimed owners of broadcast stations and cable channels were price gouging their customers by demanding ever-rising payments. Content owners responded that cable companies made exorbitant profits by simply retransmitting their channels. (25)

	In April 2010 the cable franchise between Mediacom and the City was ended when the company used a 2007 law to seek a less-restrictive state franchise agreement which the Iowa Utilities Board granted in 2009. The city council directed the cable franchise administrator to implement three options: a legal challenge, explore the possibility of creating a municipal cable system, and negotiating a partnership with Mediacom going beyond the state requirements. Mediacom officials said at the time that the former agreement had the most "onerous" agreement with the City of Dubuque of any in the 22 states they served. It was claimed by the company that higher rates in Dubuque were directly related to what Dubuque had included in its agreement. The company claimed that in other cities the franchise fee was a separate item on the bill. In Dubuque, Mediacom had been required to include the franchise fee in the base rate so that consumers did not know 5% ws going to the city. Officials promised the company would "re-engage" the city to create a "community partnership." (26)		In April 2010 the cable franchise between Mediacom and the City was ended when the company used a 2007 law to seek a less-restrictive state franchise agreement which the Iowa Utilities Board granted in 2009. The city council directed the cable franchise administrator to implement three options: a legal challenge, explore the possibility of creating a municipal cable system, and negotiating a partnership with Mediacom going beyond the state requirements. Mediacom officials said at the time that the former agreement had the most "onerous" agreement with the City of Dubuque of any in the 22 states they served. It was claimed by the company that higher rates in Dubuque were directly related to what Dubuque had included in its agreement. The company claimed that in other cities the franchise fee was a separate item on the bill. In Dubuque, Mediacom had been required to include the franchise fee in the base rate so that consumers did not know 5% ws going to the city. Officials promised the company would "re-engage" the city to create a "community partnership." (26)

Randylyon at 01:42, 8 March 2020

2020-03-08T01:42:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:42, 8 March 2020
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	[[Category: Legal Jurisdiction]]		[[Category: Legal Jurisdiction]]
			[[Category: Communication Systems]]