HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.21.2009• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
September 21, 2009
4:20 p.m.
Council Chambers
The meeting was called to order at 4:25 p.m.
Members present: Getty, Hart, Greenwood, Welper, Reggie Schmitt, Steve Schmitt.
Members absent: Cole.
Moved by Welper, seconded by Hart that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Five.
Absent: Steve Schmitt, Cole. Motion carried.
Steve Schmitt now present at 4:26 p.m.
Representatives of Mediacom presented information on the transition of PEG channels from
analog to digital. The broadcast industry completed the massive digital transition in June 2009.
Since 2007 all televisions sold in the U.S. are required to be digital. Digital technology is
superior to analog as one analog channel is equal to 12 standard definition digital channels, and
one analog channel is equal to three high definition digital channels. Digital greatly improved
picture and sound quality. Changing the PEG channels from analog to digital will give the city
the following enhanced products: HDTV, Video on Demand, Digital Video Recorders and Start
Over.
Mediacom is ready to launch DOCSIS 3.0, which is the next generation of broadband. It
provides faster Internet speeds compared to current broadband platform through a process called
channel bonding. The current broadband platform operates via a single analog channel. Channel
bonding will allow cable operators to use four analog channels at once. DOCSIS 3.0 has
download speeds of 160 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 120 Mbps are
achievable with DOCSIS 3.0 platform. Four analog channels are required to launch DOCSIS
3.0.
Mediacom is proposing the following to the city. The city allows Mediacom to convert five
existing PEG channels from analog to digital. Five PEG channels would be carried in an
unencrypted basis on the digital broadcast basic tier of service. Any customer with a digit box or
a digital tuner built into their TV would be able to view the PEG channels at no additional cost.
For those customers without digital boxes or built-in digital tuners, Mediacom will provide
digital to analog converters free of charge for 12 months. Mediacom will provide the city with
enough server space to store up to 30 hours of video on demand PEG content. Mediacom would
provide the city with a webstreaming solution for PEG programming. Mediacom would support
the transition of PEG channels from analog to digital with advertising and consumer education.
Mediacom would launch DOCSIS 3.0 throughout the city. The initial rollout is projected to be
50 Mbps down by 5 Mbps, which is 2.5 times faster than the current 20 Mbps down by 2 Mbps
online Max product. The initial launch is targeting households with multiple broadband users,
home business, etc.
Mediacom projects the benefits to the city are it ensures that the city becomes one of the early
adopters of DOCSIS 3.0, not just Mediacom service territory, but across all North America and
gains a competitive advantage from an economic development perspective. It enhances the
city's PEG programming by adding video on demand and webstreaming capabilities to linear
channel carriage.
The benefits for Mediacom is that it allows Mediacom to enhance its triple suite of
communications products and remain competitive against strong satellite competition.
Mediacom plans to launch DOCSIS 3.0 to residential customers in the fourth quarter of this year
and commercial customers by June 2010.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Welper, seconded by Steve Schmitt
that the meeting be adjourned at 4:48 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Cole. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk