Thursday, January 18, 2007

Council to vote on Cox's cable offer

Eric Sagara (1.17.07)
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/local/38889.php

City officials and Cox communications argue over public access channels in Tuscon.

Cox's informal offer would reduce the number of public, education and government channels available to the city, make viewing those channels more expensive for some customers, and remove a requirement for the cable company to provide free service in Tucson schools.

City officials are willing to compromise on the number of PEG channels available to Tucson, but the dispute lies in how many should be removed from the airwaves, and say Cox's offer does not meet the needs of the community and hope that a formal process can bring about a better deal for Tucson. However, they must reach an agreement with Cox before July 1, when a new state law engineered in part by Cox takes effect.

The law will limit the number of PEG channels available to cities to four and place a cap on the fees cities can charge cable companies to use their rights of way to install cable.

The City Council is expected to make its decision during today's study session after a closed-door meeting to review a study conducted by the city.

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