Cities fighting Qwest's bid for statewide video

Kimberly S. Johnson (1.17.07)
http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_5033844

Local municipalities are fighting back against proposed legislation that would give Qwest a statewide cable-franchise agreement to offer video services.

The bill, being sponsored by state Rep. David Balmer, is expected to be introduced next week. Balmer, a Centennial Republican, has said the goal of the legislation is to increase competition. Arvada Mayor Ken Fellman said legislators should oppose the upcoming bill because it takes too much authority away from local cities and towns.

"The legislation is designed around streamlining the process around obtaining a franchise," said Chuck Ward, Qwest's state president. "This is a bill about bringing competition to the cable market in a faster manner than what we've been able to achieve so far."

Many Colorado officials feel that this bill is no way to create competition and that local franchise processes do not hinder competition.

Regardless, the authority of individual municipalities to control permits and other matters related to any new video network should be respected, Arvada Mayor Ken Fellman said.

Comcast also opposes the bill.

Comcast To Launch Upstream Powerboost

broadbandreports.com (1.9.9)
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/80834


"A company insider informs us that Comcast is expected to announce plans for deployment of PowerBoost upstream speed enhancement sometime in the first half of 2007 for all 6Mbps/384kbps and 8Mbps/768kbps residential subscribers. Users will see upstream bursts up to 1Mbps and 2Mbps, respectively, for the 384kbps and 768kbps upstream speeds. While scheduled launch is expected to begin in February, as with downstream Powerboost deployment, specific dates will vary by market. "