Citizen Comment from the Web Site

[Paul Taylor]

For users in Lee's Summit; thought I'd share some information about your
cable providers / ISP providers.

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Subject: RE: Citizen Comment from the Web Site

Paul,

There have been 29 complaints through
the City in the last year.  There are
approximately 14,000 cable customers
plus another 4,500 online customers in
Lee's Summit.  That is about .002% of
the total 18,500 accounts.

While the City is negotiating the
franchise with Timewarner, we are also
negotiating with 2 other companies -
Comcast (who currently serves part of
our city) and Everestt (a new start up
company).  Southwestern Bell also
provide DSL in many parts of the city to
offer high speed internet access.  The
competition in the marketplace is
greatly increasing.  However, I think it
is important to understand that there
are federal and state regulations that
govern the cable and telecommunications
industry.  The City does not have the
ability to deny access to our community
by a provider.  In fact, state law
passed last year requires we give access
to use our public rights of way for
their infrastructure and cannot deny
access except in limited circumstances. 
Federal law requires cities to ensure
there are no "barriers to entry" and
that there is a "level playing field" to
encourage competition.

Therefore, the negotiations with
Timewarner pertain more to the service
requirements (also significantly
regulated by federal law), compliance
with the City's right of way ordinance
(that governs construction standards),
etc.  It is not to negotiate whether or
not Timewarner will be allowed to serve
our community.  Further, the
infrastructure is privately owned, so
the City would not be able to "replace
Timewarner as the owner of the
facilities."  The facilities are
privately owned.  

We are working with the new entry
provider to ensure they have access to
the marketplace and are treated the same
as the incumbant providers.  In the long
run, this may be a better solution for
your specific concerns.  With
competition can come better service.

I hope this answers your questions.  

Best Regards,
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