HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-07-20 Request for Cable Franchise Renewal Proposal for the Ithaca Area Cable ConsortiumJuly 20, 1999
CITY OF ITHACA
108 East Green Street Ithaca, New York 14850-5690
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR • ALAN J. COHEN
Telephone: 607/274-6501 Fax: 607/274-6526
Mr. Tom Doheny
General Manager
Time Warner Cable
519 W. State Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
Dear Mr. Doheny:
The Ithaca Area Cable Consortium, composed of the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, Town of
Caroline, Town of Groton, Town of Lansing, Town of Ulysses, Village of Lansing, Village of
Trumansburg, Village of Dryden, Village of Cayuga Heights and the Village of Freeville, has completed
an assessment of current and future community needs and has developed a Request for Renewal Proposal
(RFRP). The governing bodies of each Consortium community have acted upon the RFRP. I now
present this RFRP to Time Warner Cable for a response proposal. Time Warner Cable is required to
submit a formal proposal within ninety (90) days of receipt of the RFRP. However, the Consortium is
aware that Time Warner Cable prefers the informal renewal process; and the Consortium would be
willing to meet informally to try to finalize a franchise agreement under the informal process over the
next three (3) -months. Entering into the informal process does not waive either party's rights or
obligations under the formal process. Therefore, barring the success of the informal process Time
Warner Cable is still required to submit a written response proposal by October 18, 1999.
Also enclosed are the following supporting documents: the task force reports dated February 2,
1999; and transcripts of the two public hearings dated January 28; 1999 and February 1, 1999. The
consumer and organization assessment reports and the technical evaluation of the Time Warner cable
system were forwarded to Time Warner Cable on April 7, 1999 and, therefore, have not been included in
this mailing. If you are in need of additional copies of any of the -reports mentioned above, please feel
free to contact the Planning Depai tuient.
We look forward to working with you on a successful conc1.usionto;:the renewal process. If you
have any questions or would like to propose some dates for _infoial negotiations, please contact Ms.
Jeannie Lee at (607) 274-6550.
Alan J. Cohen
Mayor
cc: Ithaca Area Cable Consortium
Cable Franchise Negotiating Committee
Mr. Ben Curtis
'An Equal Opportunity Employer with an Affirmative Action Program'
REQUEST FOR CABLE FRANCHISE
RENEWAL PROPOSAL
FOR THE ITHACA AREA CABLE CONSORTIUM
July 19, 1999
PREPARED BY:
Rice, Williams Associates
601 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Suite 900
Washington, DC 20004
The Ithaca Area Cable Consortium
City of Ithaca
Town of Ithaca
Town of Lansing
Town of Caroline
Town of Groton
Town of Ulysses
Village of Lansing
Village of Trumansburg
Village of Dryden
Village of Cayuga Heights
Village of Freeville
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 1
I. Minimum Requirements 3
Subscriber Network 3
Consumer Compatibility 7
Consumer Services 7
Interconnection 8
Programming 9
Access 10
Government Access 10
Educational Access 12
BOCES 12
Public Schools 13
Cooperative Extension 13
Public Access 13
PEG Access Programming 13
Current Video Programming 14
Institutions Needing to Provide Local Programming 16
Access Requirements 19
Main Studio Needs Enlargement, Redesign 21
Access Center Must Be Centrally Located 21
More Equipment is Needed 21
Equipment Must Be Maintained, and Replaced When Outdated 22
Studio Hours and Staffing Need to Be Increased 22
Additional Video Drops Are Needed 22
Future PEG Equipment Requirements 23
Institutional Network 25
Potential Institutional Network Users 25
Current Coaxial Network Background 29
System Description: 30
Operations and Management 31
The Future: 33
Coaxial I -Net Requirements 34
Fiber Optic Upgrade of Existing I -Net 37
Fiber Optic I -Net Extensions 38
Internet 39
Emergency Management 40
Regulation of the Franchise 40
Franchise Fee 41
Pilot and Experimental Projects 41
Franchise Term 42
II. Evaluation Criteria 43
i
Section I Ownership, Experience and Financial Resources 47
A. Applicant 48
B. Ownership Information 49
C. Experience 53
D. Financial Commitment 55
Section II Financial Experience and Projections 56
A. Financial Experience and Projections 57
B. Pro Forma Assumptions 62
Section III Construction and Service 65
A. Service Area 66
B. Construction Practices 67
Section IV System Design 69
A. Channel Capacity 70
B. System Design 71
Section V Channel Allocation 74
A. Access Channels 75
B. Radio Services 76
C. Summary of Channels by Tier 77
Section VI Rates 78
A. Rates & Charges 79
Section VII Local Programming 80
A. PEG Access 81
Section VIII Institutional Network Services 84
A. Experience 85
B. Institutional and Subscriber Drops 86
C. Institutional Network Design 87
Section IX Equal Employment Opportunity and Equal Business Opportunity 91
A. EEO and EBO 92
ii
Section X Consumer 94
A. Privacy 95
B. Consumer Complaint and Repair Procedures 96
C. Billing Practices 101
Section XI Innovative Projects 102
A. Description 103
Section XII Term of Franchise 104
A. Term of Franchise 105
iii
INTRODUCTION
In preparation for the cable television renewal process, the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca,
Town of Caroline, Town of Groton, Town of Lansing, Town of Ulysses, Village of Lansing, Village
of Trumansburg, Village of Dryden, Village of Cayuga Heights, and the Village of Freeville, New
York, (The Ithaca Area Cable Consortium) conducted in-depth analyses of the future cable-related
needs and interests of Ithaca. As part of the needs assessment process, the Consortium retained Rice,
Williams Associates (RWA), a consultant firm, to conduct a consumer market survey, a community
needs analysis, and a technical evaluation. (See attached reports.) The Consortium also convened
public hearings on the renewal of Time Warner's franchise. (Summary of minutes is attached and
copy of audiotape of proceeds is available upon request.) The Consortium established two Task
Forces: one on public education and government access (PEG Access Task Force) and one on
institutional network (I-Net/Technical Task Force). The Task Forces submitted reports on current
and future community needs. (Copies are attached.) The Tompkins County Intermunicipal Cable
Commission, and numerous Consortium officials and staff participated in the cable franchise renewal
needs assessment process.
Based on the needs assessment, the Consortium has established minimum standards for cable
service in Ithaca which are contained in this Request for Renewal Proposal (RFRP) document. In
accordance. with the provisions of the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, the Cable
Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992, and the Telecommunications Act of
1996, this Request for Renewal Proposal is being issued to the current cable operator in Ithaca, Time
Warner Cable.
The deadline for submitting eleven, (11) copies of Time Warner's renewal proposal to the
Consortium which responds to and has the information required by the Consortium's Request for
1
Renewal Proposal is within ninety (90) days of receipt of this RFRP. Any questions regarding the
RFRP and the proposal response should be directed to Mr. Thys Van Cort, Planning & Development
Director, City of Ithaca, 108 East Green Street, Ithaca, NY 14850, (607) 274-6550.
I. Minimum Requirements
The Consortium franchising authorities have established a number of minimum
requirements and specific priorities related to the cable communications franchise. The application
by Time Warner Cable (Time Warner), for franchise renewal must meet each of the minimum
requirements and reflect a commitment to the priorities outlined below and provide all information
requested herein. Time Warner is encouraged to present proposals in the areas encouraged by the
Consortium. In this Request for Renewal Proposal, the terms "Applicant" and "Company" are used
to refer to Time Warner and the term "Franchisee" is utilized when referring to requirements that will
be included in any new franchise.
Subscriber Network
The Consortium requires the Company to provide a cable network offering continuous, high
quality service to residential subscribers. The Consortium places a high priority on plans to meet
the current and future cable -related needs local residents. Time Warner has upgraded the cable
television system to 750 MHz. Information on the upgrade is required herein.
The Consortium makes the following subscriber network requirements:
• That cable service be provided to all residential dwelling units within the Village of
Lansing, Village of Trumansburg, Village of Dryden, Village of Cayuga Heights,
West Groton, and the Village of Freeville and to every dwelling unit and developed
property in the City of Ithaca. In other areas of the Consortium, service shall be
provided to all residential units with a minimum of fifteen (15) residential dwelling
units per cable mile within the boundaries of other Consortium communities; to all
residential dwelling units of other Consortium communities with a density lower than
fifteen (15) based on a line extension formula; to a lower density as the term of the
contract progresses.
• That the Consortium seeks non-residential service line extension formula for the
delivery of service to non-residential areas which will expand the number of non-
residential establishments that can receive cable for normal cost of installation and
at cost.
3
• That cable service be provided to any commercial development of 100,000 square
feet and 100 jobs at the owner's request.
The Company is strongly encouraged to provide service to industrial parks and office
complexes.
The current upgrade being constructed for Ithaca will be sufficient for a franchise of a short
duration. If the Company seeks a longer term, the Consortium requires the Franchisee to have a
proposal which provides for state-of-the-art system upgrades and services throughout the term of the
Franchise. The Consortium finds the following state-of-the-art clause acceptable: "In the event the
Company, its parent company, management firm or affiliates have installed state-of-the-art
improvements in services, equipment, or facilities in at least twenty percent (20%) of its other cable
systems of similar size owned by the Company, its parent company, management firm, or affiliates,
which increases channel capacity, provides improvements in technological performance, provides
for interactive services, provides for digital programming and/or other substantial improvements
available, then Company shall make said improvements available to the Consortium subscribers
within one (1) year. Or in the event that Company or other Franchisees within the sixty miles have
a greater channel capacity, have improvements in technological performance, provides for digital
programming and/or other substantial improvements, then Company shall install said improvements
within one (1) year, unless for reasons beyond the control of the Company the improvements cannot
be installed within one (1) year. The Consortium franchising authorities may hold hearings on state-
of-the-art technology every third year of the franchise. Such hearing shall afford Company an
opportunity to make a presentation on the state-of-the-art and whether the conditions specified herein
indicate that a state-of-the-art change is needed. The franchising authority may require Company to
perform upgrades which meet the threshold specified herein.
4
The Company's time table for providing digital video services should be provided.
The Consortium also encourage the following facilities to provide:
• Backup power supplies throughout the network
■ BTSC stereo pass-through for all broadcast and satellite stereo channels
■ Replacement of subscriber drops which do not meet specified tests or grounding
requirements
• Parental control devices and video and audio scrambling of primarily adult
programming.
The Company is encouraged to utilize status monitoring throughout the system.
House drops are required to conform to code requirements. Proper grounding is of prime
importance as a safety issue. The Consortium requires that service technicians check the service
drop grounding whenever making a service call for proper grounding capability or that the Company
institute a subscriber drop audit program. For drop installations, the service technicians program
should include replacing drop splices whenever they are encountered, mounting ground blocks on
the house, review of route of the drop from the block to the point of entrance into the house, check
for acute bend in ground wire and sufficient service loops, conducting technical tests, and using
weatherproofing material in wall penetrations where none exists. Compliance with maximum
ground conductor length, as well as corrosion with the grounds when they are located within
pedestals should also be reviewed. All drops which are found to have insufficient grounding should
be brought up to Time Warner Cable's subscriber drop standard. Drop installations should also be
checked for visual aesthetics and whether cable attachment to the dwelling was missing or loose.
The Company should provide a plan for logging such service technician checks so that the within
a two year period, the Company can certify to Consortium communities that all drops in their
boundaries conform to the requirements specified above.
5
Access channels should be available for simultaneous programming throughout the
Consortium unless otherwise specified by an individual municipality.
The technical inspection performed by RWA found that the off -air channels for Syracuse
should be improved and that the Company has plans to transport these signals over a fiber optic link.
The Consortium requires that the Company use its best efforts to construct the link in an expedient
manner. A proposal for the timing of the interconnect is requested.
In addition, please provide a plan for investigating with Channel 57 the electrical
interference problems they are having.
During RWA's technical inspection, clearance violations were found between the cable plant
and the utilities. These violations should be addressed and eliminated to bring the entire plant up
to NEC and BellCore standards. In some places the cables actually touch one another. The
Consortium requires that the Company conduct a system -wide audit of the aerial cable plant to
identify any code violations and rectify them. It should be noted that many of the violations
encountered appeared to be caused by other cable owners.
Some subscribers indicate picture quality problems with Channel 8. Please provide a plan
to improve the picture quality of Channel 8.
Consumer Compatibility
The Consortium requires the Company to prepare a plan describing how the system will
meet FCC consumer compatibility regulations, be consumer friendly and compatible with cable -
ready television sets, stereo television, VCRs, remote control devices and other consumer products.
6
The Company is required to indicate how high definition television and digital compression,
when available, will be integrated into the system. The Consortium seeks a plan describing how the
Company will keep the Consortium informed about developments in HDTV and other technological
developments.
Consumer Services
The Consortium seeks a high level of consumer service. Outages were indicated to be a
problem. Please provide the Company's rebate policy and a plan to reduce outages.
Results of the Consumer Market Survey found that 22% of those requesting repair service
during the past year made requests for more than two repair visits. Please provide a plan for
minimizing the number of repeat repair calls.
Only 41% of those requiring a repair call in the Consumer Market Survey reported that the
repair service was scheduled within 24 -hours or less. Please provide a plan for increasing the
percentage of subscribers receiving a service call within 24 -hours of a request.
Some subscribers indicate interest in programmable remote controls. Please indicate the
Company's plans or offerings in this area.
The Company is requested to provide a plan to decrease the amount of time subscribers have
to wait for installation of cable service
The Consortium requires the Company to provide a plan for decreasing the percent of
subscribers calling the Company which receive a busy signal and decreasing the length of time
subscribers are put on hold.
The franchise will contain late charge standards. The Company is requested to provide
information on current late charge practices.
7
The Consortium requires the Company to provide a plan for promptly responding to citizen
complaints forwarded by franchising authorities and providing a written summation of the action
taken to the relevant franchise authority representative. The Consortium requires the Company to
make reasonable accommodations, upon request, for people with disabilities, including being ADA
compliant. The Consortium encourages the Company to provide user friendly subscriber technology
upon request.
Interconnection
The Consortium requires interconnect to all Consortium institutional network locations (See
Institutional Network section) and to interconnect the access channel(s)as requested by each
franchising authority. The Company is required to provide interconnection to the access channels
for institutions transmitting access programming on the institutional network. The Company is also
required to interconnect and deliver the educational access channel(s) programmed by the Ithaca
School System with the cable system in Enfield.
The Consortium seeks interconnection of the Consortium's access channels with surrounding
jurisdictions on a full-time basis if agreed to by respective franchising authorities. The Company
should provide a plan for such interconnection. Such a plan should specify channel capacity,
technology (e.g., coax, fiber, microwave), estimated cost and cost sharing proposals, and time frame
for activation, and any economic viability issues to be considered.
8
Programming
The Consortium seeks a diverse package of high quality cable services. The Company
should specify which services it intends to provide as part of its basic cable service tier, other tiers
of service, and pay offerings. Subscribers also indicated interest in programmable remote controls
and additional channels offered on an a la carte basis. The Consortium has received a strong appeal
from the community for a Spanish language channel (See attached request). The Consortium
strongly encourages the Company to provide a full-time channel for this broad category of
programming. The Consortium has received input on the basic tier of service such that the tier has
been requested to include an all weather channel, a 24-hour news channel (e.g. CNN), and C -SPAN
II. The Consortium encourages the Company to provide these channels on basic. In addition, at the
public hearing, input was received that individuals would like to have the following channels on the
network: SCOLA II; Descriptive Video Service for the Blind; additional NPR and PRI FM stations.
Requests were also made for Canadian stations, a French language station and BET Jazz.
The Consortium encourages the Company to provide a universal
access channel service tier which would include all access channels
and be available to all subscribers solely for the cost of
installation.
Access
The Consortium is pleased with access channel development over the term of the prior
franchise and based on the Consortium's assessment of community needs finds that it will continue
to flourish and to grow and that additional resources are needed.
9
Government Access
The PEG Access Task Force report summarizes the history of government access and
resource needs as follows.
"Programming for Time Warner's government access Channel 53 started in
1992. A Government Access Cable Commission (GACC) was established to set
policy and direction for the use of the channel. The GACC, discontinued in 1995,
had County-wide membership and set a precedent for intermunicipal coordination
of cable issues. The bylaws that it formulated are still in place and because they
anticipated more intensive use of government access channels than has yet
materialized, will probably serve well in the future.
"Channel 53 [new Channel 15], averages 30-35 hours a week of
programming consisting mainly of live cablecasts and taped replays of City of
Ithaca and Tompkins County meetings. Taped reports from NYS legislators,
teleconferences downloaded by Cooperative Extension, and some edited magazine-
style programming are also broadcast.
"City of Ithaca meetings (Common Council plus three committee meetings
a month) are cablecast using equipment and staff supplied by Time Warner. County
meetings are cablecast with equipment supplied by Time Warner and the County,
but staff is paid for by the County, through a contract of around $24,000 annually
with Cooperative Extension. The County maintains a control room/editing suite in
the County Courthouse from which it originates live cablecasts, operates a video
bulletin board, and operates all playback of taped programs for the channel. The
10
bulk of the equipment used by the County is on loan from Time Warner, but other
costs, for equipment repair or purchase, for example, are paid for by the County.
"High-quality broadcasts are essential to building and maintaining
viewership of government access programming. Tompkins County cablecasts are
of noticeably superior quality to City of Ithaca cablecasts. City cablecasts are
accomplished with inadequate equipment that hampers the Time Warner -supplied
crews from doing a good job. The result is a lesser quality broadcast that reflects
poorly on the government access channel as a whole. Several improvements are
essential for upgrading City Hall broadcasts, including a separate control room and
additional equipment. Staffing problems also need to be addressed.
"Towns and Villages that request government access services must be
provided with adequate equipment, connections, and provisions for staffing that will
assure a high standard for programming, or funding for that purpose. If technically
possible, Time Warner should also supply government access programming to other
cable companies serving Tompkins County residents."
Educational Access
The PEG Access Task Force report summarizes the use of access and the need for new
resources by educational institutions as follows.
"Ithaca College is, and will probably continue to be, the leading education
cablecaster in the area. IC's video communications program has a strong
partnership with the Time Warner system that it wants to maintain and expand.
More video drops and more connectivity between buildings at the campus and the
11
Time Warner hub would enhance the IC program and would also add more venues
for community programming.
"In addition to IC, the other colleges in the area need opportunities for
access. In particular, TC -3 — which offers career -oriented video education — is
very interested in tapping into services that could be provided by Time Warner.
"BOCES:
BOCES programs in Continuing and Adult Education, Special Ed,
vocational training and other programs could greatly enhanced by the addition of
Time Warner supplied resources.
"Public Schools:
Ithaca High School has a thriving video program that trains both students
and adults through classes, professional development workshops, and summer
media camps. Trained individuals often go on to produce useful educational and
community programming. Video equipment has also been placed by Time Warner
at the Alternatives Community School and Boynton Middle School. The schools
have a list of needs that includes regular maintenance of existing equipment,
equipment upgrades, ability to relocate underutilized equipment, live cablecasting
for Board of Education meetings, and new sets of equipment and video drops for
all public schools that request it and will use it.
12
"Cooperative Extension:
Cooperative Extension, already on the I -net, is a major potential producer for
relevant, locally -oriented, and useful educational programming. Extension needs
adequate video production equipment and technical support by Time Warner."
Public Access
Public Access has been used extensively.
PEG Access Programming
Following is a summary of PEG access use indicated by respondents to the Communty
Needs Assessment summary.
13
CURRENT VIDEO PROGRAMMING
ORGANIZATION
TYPE OF
PROGRAMMING
FORM OF
PRESENTATION*
FREQUENCY OF
PRESENTATION
Government
Public Health
Administrator, Tompkins
Co. Public Health Dept.
Tapes from NYS DOH
Local access
channel
Occasionally
Deputy Co. Administrator,
Tompkins Co. Criminal
Justice Services
Board meetings;
Bulletin board
Local access
channel
Daily
Acting Director, Tompkins
County Info. Tech. Svcs.
Public meetings
Local access
channel
Weekly
Commissioner of Planning,
Tompkins County Dept. of
Planning
Workshops; public
hearings
Local access
channels
Occasionally
City Clerk, City of Ithaca
City Council &
Standing Committee
meeting on rotation
basis
Government
access channel
2 or 3 times per
month
Economic Development
Planner, City of Ithaca
City Common Council;
City Planning &
Economic
Development
Committee
Government
access channel
Weekly
Educational
Executive Director, Cornell
Cooperative Extension
Association of Tompkins
County .
County government
meetings
Government &
public access
Weekly
Principal, Boynton Middle
School
Varies
Local access
channel; publicity
Daily
Superintendent, .•
Trumansburg Central
School
Education
Classrooms
Occasionally
14
CURRENT VIDEO PROGRAMMING
ORGANIZATION
TYPE OF
PROGRAMMING
FORM OF
PRESENTATION*
FREQUENCY OF
PRESENTATION
Educational (Cont'd)
High School Principal,
Trumansburg Central
School District/Dickerson
High School
Video conferencing
Compressed video
ISDN line
Daily
Director, Instructional
Support Svcs.,
Tompkins-Seneca-Tio g a
B.O.C.E.S.
Satellite downlink for
teleconferences; plays
Local access
channel
Occasionally
Executive Director, The
Learning Web
Opportunities for
youths and mentors
Weekly
Principal, Ithaca High
School
"Lake Street News,"
30-120 minutes of
news, features,
performance, lectures,.
etc.
Local cable access .
channel
Weekly
Dir of Info. & Instr.
Technologies, Ithaca City
School District
TV programs created
by students
Group meetings;
educational access
channel
Occasionally
Principal, DeWitt Middle
School
Videos of student/
school events by
students and staff
Local access
channel
Occasionally
Civic Organizations/Other
Coordinator, Amnesty
International USA, Group
#73
Amnesty International
- Ithaca
Local access
channel
3 times a week
Program Director, Finger
Lakes Independence Center
Current event show on
Agency
Local access
channel
4 times a year
Civic Organizations/Other (Cont'd)
Dir. of Membership &
Public Relations, Tompkins
Co. Chamber of Commerce
Public forums
Group meeting;
local access
channel
Occasionally
15
CURRENT VIDEO PROGRAMMING
ORGANIZATION
TYPE OF
PROGRAMMING
FORM OF
PRESENTATION*
FREQUENCY OF
PRESENTATION
American Red Cross
Panel discussion &
videos from National
Organization
Unsure
Occasionally
Vice Chair -Voter Svcs.,
League of Women Voters
of Ithaca
Better Housing for
Tompkins County
Political candidate
forum
Tape of first-time
home ownership
Group meetings;
public TV; local
cable access
channel
Shown to first-
time homeowner
2 or 3 times per
year
Occasionally
Institutions and organizations that reported, in response to the community needs assessment
survey, that the attainment of their goals and outreach could be improved by programming provided
or produced for and carried over cable access channels are as follows.
INSTITUTIONS NEEDING TO PROVIDE LOCAL; -'
PROGRAMMING
ORGANIZATION
Government
Chief, Lansing Fire Department
Commissioner of Public Works, Tompkins County
Public Works Dept.
Government (Cont'd)
Public Health Administrator, Tompkins Co. Public
Health Dept.
Supervisor, Town of Ithaca
Deputy Co. Administrator, Tompkins Co. Criminal
Justice Services
16
INSTITUTIONS NEEDING TO PROVIDE LOCAL
PROGRAMMING
ORGANIZATION
The Honorable Mr. Phillip R. Rumsey, Supreme
Court Justice of Tompkins Co.
Planning Director, Tompkins County Economic
Opportunity Corporation
Library Director, Tompkins County Public Library
Asst. Superintendent of DPW, City of Ithaca, Water
& Sewer Division
Superintendent of Highways, Village of Lansing
Supervisor, Town of Ulysses
Codes Officer, Village of Lansing
Acting Director, Tompkins County Info. Tech. Svcs.
Clerk/Treasurer, Village of Lansing
Chair, Planning Board, Village of Lansing
Commissioner of Planning, Tompkins County Dept.
of Planning
County Administrator, Tompkins Co.
Administrator's Office
Chief, Slaterville Springs Volunteer Fire Company,
Inc.
City Clerk, City of Ithaca
Government (Cont'd)
Chair, Planning Board, Village of Dryden
Building Commissioner, City of Ithaca, Building
Dept.
Asst. Superintendent of Public Works, City of
Ithaca, Streets & Facilities Div.
Mayor, Village of Cayuga Heights
17
INSTITUTIONS NEEDING TO PROVIDE LOCAL
PROGRAMMING
ORGANIZATION
Superintendent of Highways, Town of Ithaca
Commissioner, Tompkins Co. Mental Health Dept.
Educational
Executive Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension
Association of Tompkins County
Principal, Boynton Middle School
Superintendent, Trumansburg Central School
Director, CRESP, Cornell University
High School Principal, Trumansburg Central School
District/Dickerson High School
Director, Instructional Support Svcs.,
Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga B.O.C.E.S.
Executive Director, Community School of Music
and Art
Director, Media Services, Cornell University
Principal, Ithaca High School
Dir. of Info. & Instr. Technologies, Ithaca City
School District
Principal, DeWitt Middle School
Civic Organizations/Other
CEO, YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins Co.
Coordinator, Amnesty International USA, Group
#73
Director, Women's Community Building
Executive Director, Finger Lakes Library System
18
INSTITUTIONS NEEDING TO PROVIDE LOCAL
PROGRAMMING
ORGANIZATION
Dir. of Membership & Public Relations, Tompkins
Co. Chamber of Commerce
Director, Paleontological Research Institute
Executive Director, Hospicare of Tompkins County
Gadabout Transportation, Inc., Ithaca/Tompkins
Transit Center
American Red Cross
Development Associate, Family and Children's
Services of Ithaca
Vice Chair -Voter Svcs., League of Women Voters
of Ithaca
Resource Developer, Day Care & Child
Development Council of Tompkins County
Better Housing for Tompkins County
Access Requirements
The Consortium places a high priority on the continued development of access. The
following describes the minimum requirements for access.
■ The Franchisee shall allocate the following channels for access:
• No less than nine (9) access channels for government, education, and public
access with the Consortium franchising authorities designating the type of
access to be provided on each channel
• No less than six (6) audio channels for cable radio
• Capability for an access channel to provide pay per view programming, with
the Company to scramble and address the recipients.
19
■ The access channels shall be placed on the basic tier of service and available to all
subscribers upon the request of Consortium franchising authorities, including those
in multi -family dwelling units (unless otherwise agreed to by the Company and
Consortium franchising authorities). The Consortium expects to request the
activation of an additional government access channel within six (6) months.
• The Franchisee shall permit the educational and government access channels to be
utilized for closed-circuit programming. Such institutional programming will be
scrambled by the Company and viewable at selected public sector sites. The
Franchisee shall provide converters to free drop sites for the reception of the closed-
circuit programming.
• At such time as the Franchisee expands the system channel capacity through digital
or other means, up to five percent (5%) of the channel capacity or equal HDTV
capacity shall be reserved for future access use.
Equipment and facilities are an integral component of access operations. Following is a
description of the Consortium's access equipment and facilities requirements.
The Consortium requires the following professional quality equipment and facilities for
government and educational access in Appendix A, Government and Educational Access Equipment.
Public Access Equipment Requirements:
The Consortium adopts the following findings of the PEG Access Task Force for public
access facilities and equipment.
"Main Studio Needs Enlargement, Redesign
The small size and proportion of the main [Primary] access studio severely
limit the types of programming that can be produced. The long, narrow shape
cannot accommodate desired community programming such as dance performances,
choral concerts, drama, live theater, telethons, public meetings, etc.
20
"Access Center Must Be Centrally Located:
The studio site must: be located in downtown near the Time Warner physical
plant hub, have ample off-street parking, be on the city bus lines, and handicapped
accessible.
"More Equipment is Needed:
The Task Force recommends that production equipment donated by Time
Warner include full equipment for two large and one small studios, several
automated studios, and at least two easy-to-use portable studios. With minimal
expense and training, the automated studios will make access available to many
more individuals and organizations.
"Equipment Must Be Maintained, and Replaced When Outdated:
All donated or loaned equipment must be maintained by Time Warner.
Timely maintenance, replacement, and technology updates (such as digital replacing
analog) for all access studio equipment during the course of the franchise must be
assured.
"Studio Hours and Staffing Need to Be Increased:
The current 60 hours of operation (3-11:30 p.m., seven days a week) do not
allow maximum use of access facilities or encourage daytime use by not -for -profits.
To serve a broader population, studio hours and staffing should be significantly
increased.
21
"Additional Video Drops Are Needed:
Video drops are needed at key locations around the City as well as in the
surrounding municipalities so that portable studios can be used by not -for -profits
and the public."
The Consortium seeks to have the Company increase access studio hours earlier or later to
do public access.
The Consortium encourages the Company to address capabilities it could offer for consumer
choice regarding access channels as discussed in the Task Force report.
" Task Force recommends the following policies to accommodate both free speech rights and
informed customer -viewing choices:
1) Instituting some County -wide community -controlled channels.
Producers must agree to abide by standards determined by a County-
wide community advisory board.
2) Time Warner Cable should be required to provide to any customer,
free of charge, up to -date timed, channel -blocking filters.
3) Time Warner should cablecast and also post on the Internet up-to-
date schedules with program descriptions.
4) Instituting some single -community controlled channels -which would
be cablecast only to specific municipalities and available only to
customers living in that community.
5) Maintain separate County -wide free speech channels.
6) Requiring that Time Warner cablecast appropriate electronic v -chip
ratings if supplied by the producer/provider at the time of program
submission."
Future PEG Equipment Requirements
The PEG Access Task Force indicates that new technologies should be integrated into
equipment replacement and improvement plans.
"Training and equipment to match new technologies must be made available
in the future. Franchise language should include the possibility of municipal uses for
22
new cable technologies, such as video return (reverse channels), and video
compressing or video streaming. Municipalities should automatically be included
in, or offered opportunities to piggyback on, new or upgraded technologies -including
those which have not yet emerged—when it can be shown a public need will be
served."
The Consortium requires sufficient funding for PEG access equipment and facilities to utilize new
technologies for production as they become available.
The Consortium requires the Company to maintain and replace all public, educational, and
government access equipment and to provide all necessary headend equipment for public,
educational, and government access. The equipment shall be replaced based upon wear and tear and
the normal useful life of each type of equipment. Replacement purchases shall take into account new
technological improvements
The Company is required to provide access origination capability (including transmission
or modulation equipment) via fiber optics from sites currently capable of cablecasting (e.g. Ithaca
City Hall) and from the following sites:
• All Consortium Government Offices
• All Studios
• Fire Regional/Training Center.
The following sites are required to be provided with free drops, free converters, and free non-
premium service:
• Public Schools
• Institutions of Higher Education
• Public Libraries
• Buildings of Consortium governments
• Additional sites at Ithaca College.
23
Such drops shall be capable of supporting multiple reception points. The Company is
encouraged to provide multiple drops to educational buildings and government buildings and provide
a proposal for internally wiring government buildings and school buildings.
Just as the Company is expected to commit substantial resources to operate, maintain and
promote use and viewership of basic and premium entertainment services, so the Company is
expected to commit resources adequate to operate, maintain and promote use and viewership of
channels devoted to access. The Consortium therefore encourages the Company to agree to:
■ Continue to provide public access staff and services
■ Continue to provide production services for City of Ithaca meetings
• Providing services for programming by other Consortium government
• Providing training for school personnel
• Providing publicity services for public, educational, and government access (e.g. bill
stuffers, ad avails for PSA's, bi-annual promotional mailer to subscribers).
The Consortium will place great emphasis on meeting government, educational, and public
access needs.
Institutional Network
The Community Needs Assessment survey found the following needs for an institutional
network.
POTENTIAL INSTITUTIONAL NETWORK USERS
ORGANIZATION
LINKS To
SERVICE*
Government
Chief, Lansing Fire Department
Central Station
All Stations
24
LDT; IVT
VS
POTENTIAL INSTITUTIONAL NETWORK USERS
ORGANIZATION
LINKS To
SERVICE*
Commissioner of Public Works,
Tompkins County Public Works Dept.
Airport (Brown Rd);
Highway Div.
(Bostwick Rd);
SW Recycling Center
Commons Rd.
LDT
Public Health Administrator,
Tompkins Co. Public Health Dept.
All County buildings
and educational
facilities
LDT; VT; IVT; I
Supervisor, Town of Ithaca
* IVT = Interactive Video Transmission; IST = In -Service Training; LDT = Local Data
Transmission; VS = Video Surveillance; I = Internet; VT = Voice Transmission; LAN
= LAN Connections
•
Government (Cont'd)
Deputy Co. Administrator, Tompkins
Co. Criminal Justice Services
Public safety sites;
courts
IST; IVT; LAN; LDT;
VT; I
The Honorable Mr. Phillip R. Rumsey,
Supreme Court Justice of Tompkins
Co.
Ithaca City;
Tompkins County
Municipal Building
All
Library Director, Tompkins County
Public Library
Main library &
reading centers
Internet access
Supervisor, Town of Ulysses
Town Hall
Justice; Public Works
IST
I
Codes Officer, Village of Lansing
Village Officer
Hwy. Building
Other Municipalities
IST; IVT
LDT
I
Acting Director, Tompkins County
Info. Tech. Svcs.
County agencies
LDT; I; IVT; VT
Chair, Planning Board, Village of
Dryden
Wastewater plant;
fire stations; CFR
Bldg.
VS; IVT; I; VT; VS; LAN
25
POTENTIAL INSTITUTIONAL NETWORK USERS
ORGANIZATION
LINKS To
SERVICE*
City Clerk, City of Ithaca
City Hall & other
sites
IST; I; LAN; VS; LDT
City of Ithaca, Engineering Dept.,
Department of Public Works
Traffic signalization;
parking lots
LDT
VS
Mayor, Village of Freeville
County Building;
Universities;
Town of Dryden to
Village of Dryden &
Dryden Schools
LDT
IVT; LAN
Mayor, Village of Cayuga Heights
Schools
IVT
* IVT = Interactive Video Transmission; IST = In -Service Training; LDT = Local Data
Transmission; VS = Video Surveillance; I = Internet; VT = Voice Transmission; LAN
= LAN Connections
Government (Cont'd)
Asst. Superintendent of DPW, City of
Ithaca, Water & Sewer Division
Water Facilities:
525 Third St.
510 First St.
202 Water St.
City Hall,
IST; VT
LDT; I
VS
IVT
Educational
Program Director, Finger Lakes
Independence Center
Various
IST; IVT; I; LDT; VT;
LAN
High School Principal, Lansing High
School
LCSD; other schools;
BOCES
IST; VT; LDT; I; WT
High School Principal, Trumansburg
Central School District/Dickerson High
School
Local school district
IST; LDT; IVT; I
Director, Instructional Support Svcs.,
Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga B.O.C.E.S.
Local schools
LDT; I; IVT; LAN
Superintendent of Highways, Town of
Ithaca
Current sites plus
Cherry Street Ind.
Park; State Theatre
LDT; I
VS; IVT
26
POTENTIAL INSTITUTIONAL NETWORK USERS
ORGANIZATION
LINKS To
SERVICE*
Director, Media Services, Cornell
University
Students/employees
IVT; LDT
Connect to the satellite
uplink of Media &
Technology Svcs. of
Cornell
Dir. of Info. & Instr. Technologies,
Ithaca City School District
All 19 School sites
IST; LDT; IVT; I; LAN
Elementary Principal, Trumansburg
Elementary School
Library; designated
classroom
IVT; LAN; I
* IVT = Interactive Video Transmission; IST = In -Service Training; LDT = Local Data
Transmission; VS = Video Surveillance; I = Internet; VT = Voice Transmission; LAN
= LAN Connections
Civic Organizations/Other
Director, Women's Community
Building
Various
LDT; VS; IVT; VT; I
Development Associate, Family and
Children's Services of Ithaca
Cayuga & Seneca
Street locations
LDT; LAN; I
* IVT = Interactive Video Transmission; IST = In -Service Training; LDT = Local Data
Transmission; VS = Video Surveillance; I = Internet; VT = Voice Transmission; LAN
= LAN Connections
The Consortium requires the Company to provide an institutional network. In certain
instances, the Consortium will review institutional network options. In general, the Consortium
requires:
• Existing Coaxial Cable Network. The continued use of the existing coaxial cable
institutional network with: increased capacity available for use on the network; a
reliable inventory of amplifiers and passives; response time requirements; testing
requirements; operational protocols
27
• Fiber Optic Upgrade of Existing Coaxial Cable Network. Fiber optic upgrade of the
coaxial cable network within three years.
• Fiber Optic Extensions. A fiber optic connection to identified locations in the Town
of Ithaca, Town of Caroline, Town of Groton, Town of Lansing, Town of Ulysses,
Village of Lansing, Village of Trumansburg, Village of Dryden, Village of Cayuga
Heights, the Village of Freeville, and the City of Ithaca. The Consortium will also
review any Company proposals to provide dedicated capacity through the cable
modem service
• Upstream Bandwidth. The Consortium requires 6 MHz of upstream institutional
network capacity available on the subscriber network for remote video origination,
telemetry, and other purposes
• Closed-circuit. Closed-circuit programming ability for sites not on the institutional
network.
• Internet. The Consortium strongly encourages the Company to continue to provide
free Internet service and modems to educational facilities and to provide Internet
service to libraries, and volunteer fire department sites.
Current Coaxial Network Background
The Consortium requires that all institutional network (I -net) capacity will be provided free
of charge to users of the system.
The current coaxial cable fiber network connects the following locations:
1. Alternative Community School
2. Belle Sherman School
3. Beverly J. Martin School
4. Boynton Middle School
5. Cooperative Extensions of Tompkins County
6. Cornell University (McFadden Hall)
7. Dewitt Building
8. Dewitt Middle School
9. Fall Creek School
10. Fire Central
11. GIAC
12. Ithaca City Bus Garage
13. Ithaca City Hall
14. Ithaca City Youth Bureau
15. Ithaca City Police Headquarters
28
16. Ithaca City Streets and Facilities
17. Ithaca City Water & Sewer
18. Ithaca College (Roy Park Building)
19. Ithaca High School
20. Northeast School
21. Science Center
22. South Hill School
23. Southside Community Center
24. Tompkins County Courthouse
25. Tompkins County Library
26. TST BOCES.
The I-Net/Technical Task Force provides the following description of the existing
institutional networks use, operations and needs for the future.
"System Description:
The I -net system is a separate coaxial cable system that runs to a different set
of locations than the regular entertainment cable system, though some of the
locations are common between the systems. Unlike the subscriber entertainment
system which has been upgraded to a hybrid fiber coax system and had its frequency
range extended, the I -net is coax with the exception of the one leg up to BOCES,
which has been converted to fiber.
"The I -net is a midsplit 450 MHz system, with the path inbound to the
headend covering frequencies ranging from 5.75 to 173.75 MHz (28 channels), a
guard band from 174 to 216 MHz for cross over filtering, and a path outbound from
the headend ranging from 216 to 450 MHz. (39 channels).
"Currently two channels in each direction are used to support the RF modems
used by the PEFnet with translators for inbound to outbound located at the headend.
Based on recent readings there are currently 6 video signals, 2 data signals, and two
29
unknown signals on the inbound spectrum occupying 10 of the possible 28 channels.
There are 4 video signals, 2 data signals and 3 unknown signals on the outbound
frequency spectrum, occupying 9 channels of the possible 39 channels. Other
channels may be in use for video when portable equipment is moved to various
locations on the I -net.
"The PEFnet currently uses 4 mbit/sec modems at the user sites that are
owned by the individual participants in the PEFnet. The translators for the inbound
to outbound paths that are in place at the headend are also owned by PEF.
"Operations and Management:
The current I -net operation is maintained through a cooperative approach
between Time Warner and the I -net users/PEF. Collective expertise is needed to
operate a network of this topographic scale, heterogeneous technology and size. The
many differing pieces of equipment and hardware and software infrastructure are
owned and operated by different institutions of the PEF.
"The PEF, Partnership for an Electronic Future, was created in 1997 after the
County urged the development of a Consortium as a mechanism to share services and
costs, which were being borne entirely by the County and ICSD at the time. The
PEF Consortium is made up of public, educational, and not-for-profit institutions.
The charter members are as follows: Cayuga Medical Center, City of Ithaca, Cornell
University, Tompkins County, Ithaca City School District, Ithaca, College, Lansing
Central School District, Newfield Central School, South Central Regional Library
Council, and the TST BOCES. The goal of PEF is to provide connectivity, to assure
30
quality of service at the most cost-effective price available and to share expertise and
approaches to common problems faced by all members. There are many areas where
collaboration and cost savings are possible, including: local communications links,
Internet services, software licensing, equipment procurement, outsourcing, training,
and voice telephone service.
"To gain focus one must recognize that there are two worlds involved in the
current I -net. The world of data transfer and digital system and the world for radio
frequency video. To the data world the I -net appears as long cable that one plugs the
Ethernet into, and to the video world it appears as a pair of TV channels. Both views
are in fact correct and both are needed to maintain a functioning I -net in the current
system.
"There is currently no fixed performance standard. It is not clear what
standard would make sense. For instance, the Consortium members continuously run
a number of performance monitors that can detect and record any outage within a
matter of seconds. Such "outages" can be merely routine data bottleneck, a problem
or routine interruptions on a member's equipment, or problem upstream of the I -net
at the ISP or even much further beyond. The current franchise requires that Time
Warner respond to I -net repair calls within two hours.
"To further complicate the matter, some locations require continuous access
to other locations in order to perform specific network operations. An outage at one
site (most often due to maintenance of hosts or power failures) can cause users at one
or many other sites to have the perception that the I -net or some other service is down
without any ability to perceive the true root problem. Examples of this include: 1)
31
Library patrons' inability to browse, perceiving the I-net/Internet is down, when the
County domain name server in the Courthouse is in fact off-line, 2) Many ICSD
computers receive boot -up information (DHCP) from the District Office causing
them to believe the network is entirely down when in fact a server at the District
Office is off-line. Unfortunately the list of interdependencies like this are numerous,
as this is the very basis by which resource sharing over networks and among member
institutions can be most effective.
"Maintenance is currently conducted by a combination of automated
monitoring tools, network diagnostic tools, and problem escalation.
"The Future:
There are several issues in the future which will have an impact on the I -net
and its use by the educational and governmental community participants in Ithaca:
• As electronic technologies become more ubiquitous and networking
in general more prevalent, use by the community will only increase.
There will be ever increasing traffic on the I -net both in volume and
in bandwidth.
• At the same time as we must think globally, the importance having
a networked local community will increase; local educational,
governmental, and not-for-profit agencies will enhance services,
decrease costs, and improve the skills and knowledge base of the
local community.
• • The amount of information in electronic form will increase
dramatically - data, written material, narrative, images, video, audio.
This electronic content will be one reason for the increased traffic
noted above.
• Multimedia will be an increasingly important form of electronic
content both in education and in government.
32
• New technologies in hardware, software, and networking will require
parallel developments in the I -net. Computers will be bigger and
faster in terms of capability; institutions will increasingly use
sophisticated applications and data, applications will use integrated
technologies such as the multi -media noted above.
• There will be increasing connectivity of multiple networks; the I -net
must have the capability to be an integral part of such a sophisticated
global network.
• There will be increased need for authentication and security on
networks and computer systems to make sure that those who should
have access will have it, and those who should not, do not."
"Based on the experience of I -net users, the existing use of the I -net, and the
Task Force report, the Consortium requires the following for the institutional
network for current applications and the future."
Coaxial I -Net Requirements
The Consortium requires the continued operation of the current coaxial institutional network.
The Company is required to provide the following capacity at a minimum: 30 MHz contiguous
bandwidth in each path, such as 11.75-41.75 MHz inbound and 246-276 MHz outbound with no
restrictions on how the bandwidth is utilized. The Company is encouraged to provide additional
capacity on the existing institutional network for users.
The Consortium requires the institutional network to be maintained by the Company and to
improve reliability and stability. The Consortium requires the Company to respond to requests for
repairs from subscribers within two hours between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and within
four hours thereafter.
A protocol plan is required to be prepared by the Company to follow when there are
problems on the system. This plan should indicate how to alleviate past problems with access to the
33
headend. The Franchisee will be required to keep a trouble call and response log and to have the log
available to I-net users and their organizational representatives.
The Consortium requires that the I-net be allowed to connect with any service of use, any
protocol selected by individual user of the I-net for public, educational, and governmental purposes.
The Task Force addressed this issue as follows.
"Currently an IP packet protocol is used on the links to support email, ftp,
html, and various other services. It is difficult to project what may develop over the
10-year course of the next franchise period. Five years ago most people had never
heard of the World Wide Web or HTML, now nearly every TV advertisement
includes a URL.
"With that in mind, we must be careful not to be limited in the services we
can provide using the bandwidth provided to I-net and PEF. We must have the
freedom to change protocols and services at will to provide the best service to our
organizations. Certainly we expect growth in multimedia communications, including
video, high resolution still pictures, and audio. Games and simulations currently in
use on the net use force feedback joysticks to provide the beginnings of tactile
communication. In ten years, standard course work in our schools may involve
participating in Virtual Reality scenarios with stereo video, stereo audio, tactile and
possibly even olfactory information passed across the network.
"Another example might be to extend the current Pegasys model, where a
tape is made and played four times and then archived, unavailable to be watched
without scheduling the total use of a VCR and an analog video channel for its
duration. If those tapes could be digitized and stored on a server, they could be
34
called up over streaming video technologies for view on a shared channel at any time,
with no human intervention required. They would be available to the local audience
for a more extended period than is now possible, and they would also be available to
the world via the Internet.
"We must be careful to avoid language in the agreement that confines us to
a model of bandwidth use that precludes our ability to move forward with the
technology and pioneer or embrace new services.
"Likewise, we must have the freedom to interconnect the I -net with other
networks that support the community's goals. Currently we are connected to the
Internet and to the Cornell backbone. In the future we may need to be connected to
various other networks, such as a..clump of schools in the country linked with their
own wireless network, or to a County -wide network of Town Halls on whatever
infrastructure they can afford, to allow them to stream digital video in support of
county meetings. We must have language that clearly affords us the ability to link
to whatever networks we see fit to join."
The actives and passives utilized in the institutional network were installed in 1989. The
models used in the I -net may currently not be produced nor supported by the original or any other
manufacturer. An ample supply of spare parts should help prevent a situation where the I -net would
not be operational for a long period of time due to the failure of a device which must be shipped -out
for repair.
A typical number of spare units needed to support continual operation of an outdoor
communications network is to have 10% to 15% of the total amount of each unit used in the
network. This number makes the assumption that the equipment can be repaired in a timely manner
35
at a supporting service center, either at the manufacturer's location or a location recommended by
the manufacturer. If repair cannot be supported by an off-site company, spare levels are
recommended to be closer to 50% of installed base. The Company is required to stockpile sufficient
units of each device to cover any failures which might occur during the franchise term.
If the system operator cannot guarantee a supply of spare units and a reliable transmission
path, a migration plan will need to be created for the transfer of current and future operations to a
new, most likely, fiber cable -based type network. The migration plan should include performance
parameters which must be met and failure to meet these criteria would trigger the construction and
implementation of the new network.
During the technical analysis, it was found that:
• The I -net amplifiers and outside plant have not been checked in some time. No one
at the cable company, nor the I -net users met, with could remember when the system
was checked for proper alignment.
• The system should be checked on at least a yearly basis.
Fiber Optic Upgrade of Existing I -Net
The Company is required to upgrade the existing institutional network within three years.
The Company is required to provide the cost of upgrading its institutional network.
Fiber Optic I -Net Extensions
The Consortium requires the institutional network to be extended by four fibers to each of
the locations in Appendix B.
The Company is required to provide a detail cost breakdown of the cost for each site. As
an alternative for the Consortium to review, the Company is required to indicate how much
36
bandwidth on the subscriber network would be provided for those sites outside of the City. Please
provide all costs associated with this alternative.
In addition, the Consortium believes that community needs would be served by extending
the I -net or upstream bandwidth to the priority two sites dependent on cost as indicated in Appendix
C.
The Company is required to provide the cost to all potential fiber optic I -net sites with a site-
• by -site breakdown.
Upstream I -Net Requirements
The Consortium requires 6 MHz of upstream capacity for the institutional network. The
PEG Access Task force indicated the following uses for this capacity.
37
"Provide capability for remote monitoring. Telemetry from remote sites is
very important, as the City, County, and other public institutions, such as Bolton
Point, upgrade or increase the number of remotely monitored sites, e.g. pumping
stations, landfills, and water tanks. Officials planning for these remote installations
also stress the need for send -and -receive capabilities for these sites. County officials
have expressed strong interest, and would like to be consulted about, a data
transmission system that would allow for monitoring of data generated from closed
landfills, pavement temperature systems, building operations systems, and interactive
traffic control information systems. City traffic planners would like to improve the
monitoring and flexibility of traffic signals in the downtown area by piggybacking
on the cable infrastructure in that area. Send -and -receive capability is required, and
overhead installations, except in areas of Collegetown where overhead lines prevent
fire department access, are acceptable. City engineers have also requested additional
drops in the downtown area to handle traffic signal sensing devices. Remote
monitoring services should be made available to other municipalities that request it.
Local transportation planners would also like to be consulted about a need for
connections to bus shelters and parking garages for security and communications
purposes."
In addition, the Consortium requires the Company to provide fiber optic extension for the
actual cost of construction by site.
Internet
The Consortium encourages the Company to continue to provide services and to expand
such service to all public buildings.
38
Closed -Circuit Equipment
The Consortium requires the Company to provide closed-circuit equipment, including end
user equipment and pilot projects for Consortium applications.
The closed-circuit institutional access channels provide a means to transmit training and
information programs to buildings of public institutions, libraries and schools. To support this
activity and non closed-circuit access, the Consortium requires:
■ The provision of the equipment necessary to provide closed-circuit programs
■ Free drops and converters to schools, libraries, buildings of public institutions. (The
converters at these locations shall be capable of receiving the closed-circuit
programs.)
• Free closed-circuit service to schools, libraries, and buildings of public institutions
■ A significant number of converters which can be used in the home by students,
teachers, and government employees taking telecourses.
Emergency Management
The Consortium places a high priority on supporting emergency management needs and
requires the Company to meet relevant FCC standards. The Franchisee will be required to keep
emergency management informed of new features and capabilities as they become available and
keep emergency management updated on relevant FCC rules and regulations.
The Consortium municipalities require the Company to provide for local messages of a
touch-tone or similar equipment.
Regulation of the Franchise
The Consortium will be updating the model cable franchise to use as a basis for negotiation.
39
The Consortium is preparing a draft amendment to the City of Ithaca Cable
Communications Ordinance and will seek the Company's comments upon the draft document. On
any provisions which the Company would like to comment, the Company will be instructed to note
the suggested language on the document or on a corresponding page. The Consortium will require,
among other items: performance bonds; consumer protection provisions; state-of-the-art
implementation provision; annual performance audits; annual technical audits to assess compliance
with safety codes, technical requirements and reliability; EEO provisions; and requirements for a
updated and integrated 911 database, if telephone service is contemplated to be offered. The
Consortium reserves the right to specify the type of organization to operate access equipment and
facilities.
Franchise Fee
The Consortium will require a franchise fee of five percent (5%) or the maximum allowable
by law of total gross annual revenues, both subscriber and nonsubscriber revenue, to be paid on a
monthly basis. The Consortium will require the Company to provide an annual independent audited
statement of gross revenues in the Consortium area.
Pilot and Experimental Projects
The Consortium considers development of the telecommunications infrastructure as one of
the keys to overall educational and economic development. The Consortium encourages Time
Warner to develop its joint venture with AT&T and any other unique pilot and/or experimental
projects in the Consortium area which build upon the Consortium communities existing resources.
40
Franchise Term
The Consortium will extend the business terms of the current Ithaca franchise for five years
with specific modifications and extension to the Consortium communities. If the Consortium's
franchising authorities believe the Company's proposal meets community needs, the Consortium will
consider a longer term. Indicate the term, in years, which applicant seeks for this franchise.
41
II. Evaluation Criteria
The Consortium will conduct a complete and thorough analysis of the proposal. Qualitative
and quantitative considerations will be important factors in the Consortium's overall evaluation. A
strong commitment to serving all residents of the City and meeting line extension requirements of
the other Consortium communities, to providing high quality customer service, to the continuation
of a state-of-the-art cable system, and to meeting the Consortium's access and institutional
requirements, will serve as major considerations. The key factors described below represent
guidelines for the evaluation of the proposal. These guidelines will serve as a basis to analyze the
relative merits of the proposal. The specified criteria are not listed in order of priority.
1. Benefits to the Consortium and its Citizens.
• Provision of service to all residents in the City of Ithaca and the Villages in
the Consortium, and meeting the line extension standards for the other
Consortium communities.
• Provision of high quality equipment, facilities and services for public,
educational, and government access.
• Provision of the institutional network: existing coaxial cable network and
expansion; fiber optic rebuild of existing I -net; fiber optic extensions; 6 MHz
upstream; Internet; and closed-circuit.
• Commitment to consumer services.
• Provision of upgraded basic programming as specified herein.
• Commitment to pay five percent (5%) franchise fee or maximum allowable
by law on total gross revenues.
• Commitment to emergency management.
• Best quality service for consumer.
2. Access.
• Commitment to provide access channels.
42
• Demonstrated commitment to provide initial access equipment and facilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to provide maintenance and replacement of access
equipment.
• Commitment to provide access services.
• Commitment to interconnection.
• Commitment to provide program origination sites.
3. Institutional Network.
• Acceptability of I -net plan.
• Quantity of I -net capacity on the coaxial cable and design of the fiber optic
network.
• Acceptability of replacement plan for coaxial I -net and construction timetable
for fiber based I -net.
• Quality of reliability and response standards and operating protocol.
• Commitment to closed-circuit and Internet for the public sector.
4. Financial.
• Demonstrated financial resources and capability.
• Feasibility and viability of financial projections and underlying assumptions.
5. Technical and Operations.
• Acceptability of state-of-the-art plans.
• Acceptability of ongoing maintenance and testing plans.
• Acceptability of plan to certify drops.
• Acceptability of plans to improve picture quality of specified stations.
• Acceptability of providing continuous, uninterrupted service during the
rebuild to all Consortium subscribers.
43
• Commitment to provide required facilities.
• Reasonableness of consumer service plans.
• Commitment to parental control and "adult" programming scrambling.
• Reasonableness of operations policies.
• Reasonableness of plans to improve in identified consumer areas.
• Reasonableness of plan to reduce busy signals.
6. Compliance with Minimum Requirements of the Consortium.
7. Pilot and Experimental Project Development.
8. Meeting the present and future cable communications needs of the community.
9. General Qualifications.
• General reputation of applicant, as indicated by character qualifications and
fitness of the applicant and its officers.
• Ownership structure of the applicant.
• Stability of franchises currently held by applicant and satisfaction of
Consortium officials and subscribers.
• Legal qualifications.
• Prior performance in meeting contractual promises.
• Prior performance in Consortium areas
• Compliance with FCC regulations.
• Compliance with Consortium ordinances and/or franchises.
44
Section I Ownership, Experience and Financial Resources
Part
Applicant A
Ownership Information B
Experience C
Financial Commitment D
45
A. Applicant
1. Applicant
Name
Address
2. Principal to whom inquiries should be made:
Name
Title:
Address:
Telephone:
3. Representation:
This application is submitted in response to the invitation issued by the Ithaca Area Cable
Consortium, New York, by the undersigned who has been duly authorized to make the
representations within on behalf of the applicant.
Applicant recognizes that all representations are truthful and that failure to adhere to any
such representation may result in revocation of any franchise that may be granted, in
consequence of this application.
Consent is hereby given to the Consortium and its representatives to make inquiry into the
applicant's legal, character, technical, financial and other qualifications by contacting any
persons or organizations named herein as references, or by any other appropriate means.
Name
Applicant's Signature
Official Position
Date
AFFIX CORPORATE SEAL
46
B. Ownership Information
1. Please provide a family tree for Time Warner Cable.
2. List all officers and directors (whether or not they own stock) and stockholders who own one
percent (1%) or more of the voting stock of the corporation. If an ownership interest exists,
record this to the nearest whole percent based on the total number of outstanding shares of
voting stock in the corporation, exclusive of treasury stock. Where stock is held by a
stockholder in a street name, this fact should be noted, but no further information concerning
such stockholder need be furnished.
3. If any of the persons, corporations, or other business entities named in the family tree is a
stockholder owning five percent (5%) or more of the voting stock of any communications
entity (e.g. broadcast television station, other cable systems, manufacturers, common
carriers, newspapers, programming service) described below, or is an officer, director,
partner, or individual owner of such an entity, fill in the appropriate information. If the
interest is a fiduciary one, e.g., trustee, please note. Record ownership interests to the
nearest whole percent (based on the total number of outstanding shares of voting stock,
exclusive of treasury stock, in the case of corporations).
Name of individual/ Name of
entity having Communications Nature of % Voting
ownership interest entity Location Interest Interest
47
4. Please describe Time Warner's joint venture with AT&T and how it will affect the cable
system serving the Consortium area. Also, please provide related public documents.
5. For Time Warner, list the outstanding indebtedness as of the date of this application:
Name of Creditor % of total
holding Amount outstanding
indebtedness in $ indebtedness Terms
(a) Bonds
(b) Loans
(c) Notes
(d) Mortgages
(e) Other
(Specify)
6. If any ownership interest in the applicant, including but not limited to, shares of stock or
partnership interests has been or is expected to be sold or otherwise distributed, attach copies
of all documents relating to such sale or distribution, including, but not limited to,
stockholder agreements, restrictions on transfer of ownership interests and any provisions
for re -acquisition of any ownership interest by the applicant or its affiliates. If any
agreement provides for re -acquisition of ownership interests, estimate the amount which will
be paid for such re -acquisition. If any agreements, formal or informal, have been or will be
entered into whereby the consideration used to acquire an ownership interest in the applicant
is supplied, directly or indirectly, by the applicant or its affiliates, such agreements shall be
disclosed. Please provide the Consortium with copies of such agreements.
48
7. Please answer the following character qualification questions.
(a) Has the applicant (including parent corporation if applicable) or any principal' or
officer ever been convicted in a criminal proceeding (felonies) in which any of the
following offenses were charged? Yes No
Fraud
Embezzlement
Tax evasion
Bribery
Extortion
Jury tampering
Obstruction of justice (or other misconduct affecting public or
judicial officers' performance of their official duties)
False/misleading advertising
Perjury
Anti-trust violations (state and federal)
Violations of FCC regulations
Discrimination in hiring or promotion practices
Conspiracy to commit any of the foregoing offenses
Violation of Securities Law
' For purposes of this form, "principal" means any officer or director of the applicant and any
person, firm, corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity, who or which owns or controls,
directly or indirectly, any of the voting stock (or any equivalent voting interest of a partnership of
joint venture) of the applicant.
49
Any other felony
If "yes," attach separate statement providing specifics such as date, court, sentence
or fine, etc.
(b) Has the applicant or any principal ever been a party to a civil proceeding in which
it was held liable for any of the following or is now a party to the proceeding?
Yes No
Unfair or anticompetitive business practices
Anti-trust violations (state and federal) including
instances in which consent decrees were entered into
Violations of securities laws (state and federal) , _
False/misleading advertising
Violations of FCC regulations
Discrimination in hiring or promotion practices
If "yes," attach statement providing specifies.
(c) Has applicant or any principal ever had a business license (defined to include FCC
licenses, alcoholic beverage and restaurant licenses, etc.) revoked, suspended or the
renewal thereof denied or is a party to a proceeding that may result in same?
Yes_ No_
If "yes," attach statement providing specifics.
50
C. Experience
1. Please list all cable systems renewed or rebuilt in the last four years in which applicant or
any principal owns three percent (3%) or more of equity interest.
Location of system
Date of most recent franchise award and expiration date
Plant miles of system:
(a) Aerial
(b) Underground
Amount committed for:
(a) Local origination equipment
(b) Public, educational and
government access equipment
(c) Annual local origination
operating budget
(d) Annual public, educational and
government access operating budget
(e) Institutional network
Miles of rebuilt plant Channel Capacity
Percent of fiber in rebuild Households _per fiber node
Franchisee of system and percentage of system ownership held
51
Number of subscribers
Pay units sold
Basic subscribers
Homes passed by cable
Current subscriber rates:
(a) Basic (Tier 1)
(b) Expanded Basic (Tier 2)
Hours of local programming per week
(a) Local origination
(b) Public, education and
government access channels
Name and address and telephone number
of local government officials responsible
for cable operations
2. Please list all franchises held in New York and indicate the number of subscribers, date of
franchise award, and name, address and telephone number of local government official
responsible for cable operations.
52
D. Financial Commitment
1. Please provide a narrative description of all sources of funds flowing into the cable system
serving the Consortium for future capital investments and to cover any operating deficits.
Please indicate what funds are specifically earmarked for the Consortium area cable system.
2. Documentation: For each person or entity who has agreed to furnish funds, property, credit,
loans, assurances and other things of value, submit assurances from the entity or persons
providing funding.
3. The Consortium reserves the right to require additional information or assurances with
respect to any person or entity who has agreed to furnish funds, property, credit, loans,
assurances or other things of value.
53
Section II Financial Experience and Projections
Part
Financial Experience and Projections A
Pro Forma Assumptions B
54
A. Financial Experience and Projections
Directions
1. When preparing the ten (10) year financial projections, the applicant is required to use 1999
prices and assume an annual inflation rate of three percent (3%) thereafter. The ten (10) year
projection period requested is for evaluation purposes only and in no way reflects the term
of any franchise which may be granted. The financial projections should be prepared for the
system serving the Consortium only.
2. For comparison purposes, the applicant is required to include the latest fiscal year's
experience in the proforma.
3. All capital expenditures and the date of rebuild should be reflected on proforma financial
statements.
4. The applicant is required to specify the assumptions used to develop the proforma financial
statements by referring to the explanatory notes following the financial statement forms and
completing in detail the information requested. Please enumerate any other significant
assumptions that would assist in understanding how the proforma were developed.
5. Please note that the proforma formats which follow contain the information that is required.
However, if the applicant desires the Consortium to consider a different ordering or format,
the applicant can send in a copy of the revised format to the Consortium for review to see
if it is acceptable to the Consortium.
6. The applicant's forecasted financial statements and related schedules and working papers
must be prepared in accordance with the principles set forth in the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). All data provided should be regarding the system
serving the Consortium, only.
55
56
FISCAL YEAR
YEAR — Previous Fiscal Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
LOCAL CHARACTERISTICS
Homes Passed (1)
Aerial Miles Constructed
Underground Miles Constructed
Aerial Miles Rebuilt
Underground Miles Rebuilt
Year -End Basic Subscribers (2)
Average Basic Subscribers (2)
Additional Outlets Sold
Number of Pay Units Sold
FM Subs
Remote Units Rented
Pay -Per -View Units Sold
Other Services (specify)
SUBSCRIBER REVENUE
Basic
Tier
A La Carte Channels
Additional Outlets
Converter Rental (3)
Remote Control Units
Pay Service Revenue
FM Service
Pay -Per -View
Installation
Other Services
NON -SUBSCRIBER REVENUE
Advertising
Channel Leasing
Facilities and Equipment Rental
Other Non -Subscriber Revenue
TOTAL REVENUE
57
FISCAL YEAR
YEAR Previous Fiscal Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
OPERATING EXPENSES
Plant:
Plant Salaries & Benefits (4)
Plant Maintenance & Repair
Converter Maintenance (5)
Pole & Site Rental (6)
System Power (7)
Vehicle Expense (8)
Other Plant (specify)
Programming and Origination:
Satellite Fees (9)
Pay Service Fees
Copyright Fee (10)
Community Programming Salaries (11)
Studio Supplies & Expenses
General, Selling & Administration:
Salaries & Benefits (G&A)
Salaries & Benefits (Marketing)
Advertising & Promotion
Bad Debt Expense
Billing & Mailing
Rent, Heat & Lights
Telephone & Office Expense
Insurance
Professional Services (specify)
Allocation of Corp. Overhead (12)
Services Purchased from Parent (specify)
State & Local Taxes
Franchise Fee
Other G, S & A Expense
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Land
Buildings
Tower and Antennas
Earth Stations & Foundations
Headend Equipment
Distribution (13)
Coaxial
Aerial (including pole make ready)
Underground
Fiber Optics
Aerial (including pole make ready)
Underground
Subscriber Drops (14)
Converters (15)
Local Origination Equipment
Vehicles (16)
Tools/Spares
Office Furniture & Equipment
Other (specify)
TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
v
58
FISCAL YEAR
YEAR -Previous Fiscal Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENT
Total Revenue
Direct Operating Expenses
Operating Income (Loss)
Depreciation/Amortization (17)
Interest Expense (18)
Federal/State Income Taxes
Net Income (Loss)
SOURCES OF FUNDS
Net Income + Depreciation
Advances from Parent
Other Sources (specify)
Total Sources
USES OF FUNDS
Additions to Operating Assets
Additions to Other Assets
Payments to Parent Company
Total Uses
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash
BALANCE SHEET
Cash
Accounts Receivable
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Other
Total Current Assets
Gross Property, Plant & Equipment
Less: Accumulated Depreciation
Net P, P & E
Intangible Assets
Other (specify)
Total Assets
Total Current Liabilities
Due to Affiliated Companies
Equity (specify)
Total Liabilities and Equity
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (19)
59
B. Pro Forma Assumptions
1. What is the source of the estimate for the projected annual growth in the number of homes
passed?
2. Indicate the current and projected number of employees for Years 1-10 in each of the
following areas:
• Plant • Community Programming
• General & Administration • Marketing (full-time equivalent)
3. What is the assumption behind converter maintenance expense projections?
4. Assumed charge for pole rental per pole per year?
5. Assumed system power expense per plant mile?
6. Average annual expense per vehicle? Assumed number of vehicles?
7. Assumed satellite fees per subscriber, per year?
8. Projected copyright fees are based on how many "distant signal equivalents," and are what
percent of basic and second set revenue?
9. If separate funding is provided for local origination, public access, educational access, and/or
governmental access, provide individual breakdowns for salaries and benefits, studio
supplies and expenses, and other.
60
10. Management fee is assumed at what percent of total revenue? What services, if any, will be
purchased from the parent Company that are not covered by the management fee? Explain.
11. What is the projected cost per aerial mile upgrade? What is the projected cost per
underground mile upgrade? What was the overall cost of the system upgrade by
Municipality in the Consortium?
12. What is the average projected cost per subscriber drop?
13. What is the average projected cost per converter? Explain the assumptions behind the
converter replacement schedule.
14. What is the anticipated number and type of vehicles (cars, light trucks, bucket trucks, etc.)
that will be purchased and the estimated cost for each type of vehicle?
61
15. Specify the estimated useful lives for the various asset categories listed below. Use the
straight-line method of depreciation.
• Buildings
• Headend Equipment
• Converters
• Tools/Spares
• Tower and Antennas
• Distribution System • Subscriber Drops
• Local Origination Equipment • Vehicles
• Office Furniture & Equipment • Other (specify)
• Earth Stations & Foundations
16. Assumed rate of interest? Amount of debt on which interest is computed?
17. Please state whether the applicant has any other commitments and/or contingent liabilities.
If yes, explain.
18. Indicate how expenses and revenues generated on a system -wide basis have been allocated
to the Consortium system.
19. The net present value of expected annual cash flows generated from this project over the ten
year period will be calculated. Please provide the following:
• An estimate of the net investment to date. Describe fully the basis for the estimate.
• An estimate of cost of capital. Describe fully the basis for the estimate.
• Discount rate used.
62
Section III Construction and Service
Part
Service Area A
Construction Practices B
63
A. Service Area
1. If any areas are not currently served within the corporate boundaries of the Consortium
communities, please provide a map targeting these areas and explanations for the exclusion
of these areas must be provided.
(a) For those areas not served, specify the sequence and timetable for completing the
construction of those portions of the system.
(b) For areas not served, please indicate the number of homes per mile.
2. Please indicate if the system upgrade to 750 MHz is complete throughout the system. If not,
please indicate when construction will be completed.
3. Will the Company provide cable service to every dwelling unit and developed property in
the City of Ithaca?
4. Will the Company provide service to all dwelling units in the Village of Lansing, Village of
Trumansburg, Village of Dryden, Village of Cayuga Heights, West Groton, and the Village
of Freeville?
5. Will the Company provide service to all dwelling units in the Town of Ithaca, Town of
Caroline, Town of Groton, Town of Lansing, and Town of Ulysses with a minimum density
of fifteen dwelling units per mile?
(a) Please describe the line extension formula that the Company will abide by for areas
with less than fifteen dwelling units per mile. Also, please describe how the
minimum density requirements will decline during the term of the franchise.
6. Will the Company provide service to any commercial development of 100,000 square feet
and 100 jobs at the owner's request?
7. Please describe the Company's policy for commercial service and service to industrial parks
and office complexes.
8. List the location of Company offices, facilities and payment stations.
64
B. Construction Practices
1. Describe in detail the safety practices which the Company will use to protect the public
during ongoing operations.
2. Indicate how subcontractors are used and how supervision of subcontractors will be handled.
3. Provide a description of the practices the Company will use for undertaking construction on
private property and procedures for dealing with complaints by property owners.
4. Provide a description of the methods and practices for minimizing service interruptions and
property damage the Company will use.
5. List construction codes and licensing requirements which will be followed.
6. Attach a copy of the construction practices manual being followed by construction crews for
construction in the future.
7. For the upgrade, in areas where the existing cable was used, did the Company test all cable
to ensure that it meets manufacturers standards?
8. Will the Company have house drops checked for grounding during normal service calls and
have any drops not meeting specification been replaced?
65
9. When will the Company certify to Consortium communities that all house drops within their
boundaries are in compliance with NEC regulations?
10. Provide a plan that the technical staff will follow prior to entering a subscribers home (e.g.,
I.D. badges, proper authorization).
11. Indicate how long temporary underground drops will be left above ground.
12. What steps will the Company take to ensure that homeowners and builders have the proper
technical specifications available for internal wiring.
66
Section IV System Design
Part
Channel Capacity A
System Design B
67
A. Channel Capacity
1. What are the number of downstream channels?
MHz
Channels
2. What are the number of activated upstream channels?
MHz
Channels
3. What capacity has been reserved for future applications?
MHz
Channels
4. When will the fiber optic link be completed that will improve the cable systems' reception
of off -air channels from Syracuse?
5. Please provide the Company's plans to investigate a remedy to electrical interference on
Channel 57.
6. Will the Company upgrade the cable system equipment, facilities, and services as specified
in the Introduction if a longer than five year franchise term is sought?
7. When will digital video services be provided? Please describe what digital tiers will be
deployed.
68
B. System Design
1. Provide the following system mileage figures by Consortium community.
Consortium Community
Aerial Miles
Underground Miles
City of Ithaca:
• Cable Distribution Plant
Town of Ithaca:
■ Cable Distribution Plant
Town of Caroline:
• Cable Distribution Plant
Village of Lansing:
• Cable Distribution Plant
Village of Trumansburg:
• Cable Distribution Plant
Village of Dryden:
• Cable Distribution Plant
Village of Cayuga Heights:
• Cable Distribution Plant
Village of Freeville:
• Cable Distribution Plant
Town of Groton:
• Cable Distribution Plant
Town of Ulysses:
■ Cable Distribution Plant
2. Describe the technical standards that the system will comply with.
69
3. Describe in detail the preventive maintenance program the Company will follow which will
ensure the maintenance, upkeep, and signal quality of the rebuilt system. Include Company
plans for assuring proper installation and periodic testing.
4. Describe the emergency alert system that will be provided, how the Company will keep the
Consortium communities informed of changes, and how the Consortium franchising
authorities will provide local emergency message (e.g. touch-tone telephone with access
number).
5. Will BTSC stereo be provided for all broadcast and satellite programming services that offer
it?
6. Describe in detail plans for radio frequency non-interference including compliance with all
applicable FCC technical rules.
7. Describe how the cable system will provide antenna switches to subscribers.
8. The applicant should establish mechanisms to provide access to the system by disabled and
elderly users and viewers. In the case of hearing-impaired subscribers, this should include,
at a minimum, equipment which facilitates the reception of basic cable service by such
subscribers, as well as TDD equipment. Describe the technology which will be available
from the applicant for disabled and elderly users and viewers.
9. Describe the parental control features that will be offered.
10. Indicate how the Company will keep the Consortium informed about HDTV, and other
technological developments and factors the Company will consider prior to offering these
new technologies. Indicate how HDTV signals will be provided on the system.
11. Describe the applicant's plan for minimizing outages.
70
12. Please describe how institutions transmitting access programming on the institutional
network will be interconnected with the access channels on the subscriber network.
13. Will all access channels be available throughout the Consortium area if requested by the
individual franchising authorities?
14. Please provide a plan to conduct a system -wide audit of the aerial plant and what steps will
be taken to bring the Company's plant or other parties plant into compliance with the NEC
and BellCore standards.
15. Please provide a plan for improving the picture quality of Channel 8.
71
Section V Channel Allocation
Part
Access Channels A
Radio Services B
Summary of Channels by Tier C
72
A. Access Channels
1. Describe the number of channels that will be set aside for the following:
Number of
Channels
Leased Access
Video PEG Access Channels*
Audio PEG Access Channels
Local Origination
2. Please indicate if the channel designation for existing access channels will remain the same
when digital tiers are introduced on the system. If there will be any changes, will the
Company use all commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the access channels in the same
position? If an access channel is to be changed, what assistance will the Company provide
for informing viewers and assisting with logo and stationary changes?
3. Please indicate the percent of digital capacity that will be provided for access.
* Indicate if there is any restriction on which channel can be designated for pay-per-view access.
73
B. Radio Services
1. Describe what broadcast and digital audio services are and will be offered, and how this is
or will be technically implemented.
74
C. Summary of Channels by Tier
1. Provide a listing of cable channels and corresponding services that will be provided by tier
of service.
2. Describe any additional service features.
3. What Spanish language channel will be provided?
75
Section VI Rates
Part
Rates & Charges A
76
A. Rates & Charges
1. Please provide a complete listing of current system rates, including any charges that are
assessed to subscribers (e.g. late fees).
2. Describe additional rates for leased channels.
3. Describe any and all special rates or discounts (e.g., senior citizen and disabled discounts,
private school rates.)
4. Describe if all rates will be provided on a non-discriminatory basis, except for any discounts
as described in 2. above.
5.. Describe the Company policy (existing or future) for lost or willfully damaged convertors
and other equipment.
6. Will subscribers be able to purchase converters, remote controls and other consumer
electronic equipment from the Company and/or other vendors? Please describe.
7. Will you continue to provide disconnection free of charge?
8. Will the Company agree not to offset property tax from the franchise fee?
77
Section VII Local Programming
Part
PEG Access A
78
A. PEG Access
1. Describe the new equipment and the new studio equipment and facilities that will be
provided by the Company for public, educational, and government access programming.
Provide an overall budget for such equipment and facilities. State manufacturers, model
numbers, and costs. In responding to this question, please refer to the minimum requirements
for access specified in the Introduction.
Studio:
Editing:
Character Generation:
Lighting:
Portable Equipment:
Mobile Multi -camera Production Van:
Master Control/Playback:
Audio Equipment:
Description of Facilities:
Other:
Total Cost:
79
2. Identify and describe the additional PEG studio site and whether the space will be built,
leased or purchased. Describe the equipment that will be provided for the four outlying
studios.
3. How does the applicant propose to maintain the PEG access equipment and facilities?
Indicate the annual maintenance budget.
4. What technical support services does the applicant propose for PEG access users?
5. Indicate the level of funding that will be committed for the initial equipment and replacement
of equipment for PEG access programming for each year of the projected ten years.
6. Indicate the level of funding for staff support that will be committed for PEG access services
for each year of the projected ten years.
7. List additional publicity support and services the Company would provide for PEG access.
8. Describe the current locations that PEG access programming can originate from, and how
and when the required origination sites would be available to cablecast. Indicate if the
Company proposes any additional public access origination sites. Also, indicate whether
origination sites will be provided via fiber optics or coaxial cable.
9. Describe which services the Company will provide to assist in the development and
production of PEG access programming.
10. Please provide a plan to meet PEG Access Task Force concerns regarding viewers choices
regarding access programming as specified in the Introduction.
80
11. What hours of operation will the studios be open? Please see the studio hours respondents
to the community needs assessment survey indicated would be times their organization could
utilize the studio.
12. Indicate the assistance the Company will provide in scrambling signals and switching for
closed-circuit educational programming to be provided to schools.
13. State the number of converters capable of receiving the above-mentioned closed-circuit
programming which will be provided.
14. Describe the educational programming services to be provided. Also, discuss any specialized
services that may be provided for I -net distribution (e.g., SCOLA, NASA SELECT).
15. The Company will continue production of City of Ithaca meetings (Common Council plus
three committee meetings). Please provide details on the robotics facilities that will be
provided to the City.
16. Will the Company provide production services to other members of the Consortium?
17. Regarding access proposals, please indicate whether the Company will provide at its own
expense, if all or a portion is already in the rate base, if all or portion will be passed through
to subscribers as an additional fee.
81
Section VIII Institutional Network Services
Part
Experience A
Institutional and Subscriber Drops B
Institutional Network Design C
82
A. Experience
The Consortium is interested in Applicant's and the parent company's experience in
providing institutional networks.
1. Is applicant providing institutional networks of any type in other communities (e.g., coaxial
cable, Internet, upstream bandwidth)?
[]Yes []No
2. If yes, provide the following information:
(a) Name and location;
(b) Types of institutional network provided;
(c) Type of end user equipment provided;
(d) Contact person for the institutional networks described above.
83
B. Institutional and Subscriber Drops
1. Please provide a list of the type of buildings the Company will provide free subscriber drops
and service at no cost. What is the maximum length of new drops to such buildings? Indicate
what tiers of service will be provided free of charge. Indicate which type of building will
receive multiple drops.
2. Please provide the Company's proposal regarding providing internal wiring of educational
and government buildings and any additional connectivity for the Ithaca College campus.
84
C. Institutional Network Design
1. Please indicate if the Company will conduct annual tests of the existing coaxial cable I -net.
2. Will the Company provide 6 MHz upstream throughout the cable system for video, telemetry,
and other institutional network purposes?
3. What inventory of passives and amplifiers will the Company maintain for the coaxial cable
institutional network?
4. When does the Company believe the useful life of the existing coaxial network will end?
5. Please provide the response time and test procedure proposal the Company will provide.
6. Will the Company replace the coaxial cable network with fiber optics as specified in the
Introduction?
7. Please provide a detailed breakdown of costs for: the existing coaxial I -net to be replaced by
fiber; the required extension sites; priority two sites. (Breakdown should be provided by
site.)
8. Will the Company provide free Internet service to schools, libraries and government
buildings capable of 100 simultaneous users or other capability?
85
(a) For each of these locations, how many free cable modems will be provided?
9. Requirements for the institutional network are included in the Introduction to the RFRP.
Describe the design and capacity of the proposed institutional network. Submit maps that
provide an overview of the following information. See the Introduction for a listing of
identified institutional network sites.
(a) The proposed routing of the fiber backbone network.
(b) Individual fiber drops to public institutions (e.g. schools, government buildings).
(c)
Program feeds from public, educational, and government access locations to the
subscriber network.
10. Provide information on the fiber optic construction institutional network plant.
11. Provide a technical description on the interface equipment that will be supplied to support
digital transmission on the fiber optic networks.
(a) Manufacturer and model (if selected)
(b) Bandwidth of the optic transmitter equipment
(c) Emitter wavelength
(d) Applications to be supported (example)
1. Point-to-point/multiplex (9.6 Kbps to 1.54 Mbps link)
2. Local area network bridges (FDDI, Token Ring, Ethernet, etc.)
3. Telemetry (alarms, monitor, control)
Also, provide description of the equipment which will be supplied to support the video
transmission on the fiber optic network.
86
12. Description of the I -net control center.
(a) What equipment will be provided to support switching of video signals?
(b) What test equipment will be available to monitor and diagnose problems with the
video and data transmission networks?
13. Does the Company agree to have the public sector use of the upstream/downstream
institutional capacity coordinated and managed by the Consortium or PEF?
14. What equipment will be provided to enable a connected institution to use the network for
various purposes (e.g., monitors, internal wiring, modems, modulators, etc.)?
15. Will all transmission capability be provided for free, noncommercial use for the Consortium
government and educational and public institutions? If not, please explain.
16. Provide a construction timetable for the institutional network extension and any rebuild of
the coaxial network.
17. Describe how switching between the locations on the institutional network, providing access
programming, and the access channels on the subscriber network will be handled.
18. Describe any institutional network services that the Company will offer.
87
19. Describe the applicant's plans to maintain the coaxial cable and fiber optic institutional
network over the term of the franchise.
20. Indicate how calls for service or repairs on the fiber optic institutional network will be
handled and the response time. Indicate the reliability standards that will be met by the
Company.
21. Regarding I -net proposals, please indicate whether the Company will provide at its own
expense, if all or a portion is already in the rate base, if all or portion will be passed through
to subscribers as an additional fee.
88
Section IX Equal Employment Opportunity and
Equal Business Opportunity
Part
EEO and EBO A
89
A. EEO and EBO
1. Describe in detail your equal employment opportunity policy. Include job classifications,
duties, and salary ranges for positions at the supervisory, management, and professional
levels and identify the total number of each job classification and the number of minorities
and women currently in each job classification.
2. Have any complaints of discrimination in employment practices been lodged against the
applicant? If so, please specify the complaints and resolutions.
3. Identify any training programs that are or will be made available to employees.
4. The Franchisee will be required to comply with the Cable Television Consumer Protection
and Competition Act of 1992 and regularly file with the Consortium a copy of the annual
90
statistical report required therein. The Consortium encourages the good faith effort by
contractors, suppliers and vendors to subcontract and procure with MBEs and WBEs.
(a) Consistent with the requirements of Section 634, describe how the applicant will
establish, maintain and execute a positive continuing program of specific practices
designed to ensure equal opportunity in every aspect of its employment policies and
practices.
(b) Describe specifically the following aspects of applicant's EEO program:
1. The recruitment, publicity and promotional program for minority and female
employees;
2. The training and employment policies and practices in all segments of
Company operations, as well as in the selection of contractors,
subcontractors, and vendors, with emphasis on opportunities for local,
minority and female owned enterprises; and
3. The ongoing evaluation of its EEO program.
5. Indicate the specific commitment to utilizing women and minority business subcontractors
and suppliers in the proposed construction or continued maintenance of the system.
6. Indicate the makeup of the current Time Warner personnel serving the Consortium system
using the job categories provided by the FCC for EEO reporting.
91
Section X Consumer
Part
Privacy A
Consumer Complaints and Repair Procedures B
Billing Practices C
92
A. Privacy
1. Provide the applicant's privacy policy and clearly delineate between `voluntary information"
and "voluntary uses," "essential information," and "essential uses." "Essential information"
is that information which Company must collect in order to provide service (e.g., billing
information). "Voluntary information" is all other information which the operator may seek
to collect. "Essential uses" refers to those uses of essential information which are required
in order to provide service (e.g., billing uses). "Voluntary uses" are all other uses of
information collected, whether that information be considered "essential" or `voluntary." The
cable system policy is expected to at least guarantee the subscriber that no voluntary
information will be collected without prior consent; and no voluntary use will be made of
information collected without prior consent. Thus, by agreeing to receive service after they
fully read and understand the pricing document provided by the Company, a subscriber will
be deemed to have given prior consent that "essential information" may be collected for
"essential uses."
In addition, the applicant's privacy policy should include:
(a) Affirmative written consent is required if billing for particular services will require
the operator or a third party to monitor the programs of channel viewers, the fact
must be clearly explained and the services requiring such monitoring specified; and
(b) Affirmative written consent is required for third parties to collect information using
the cable system.
2. Identify all present and projected uses of the cable communications system where questions
of subscriber privacy can be expected to arise, and describe in detail the policies and
procedures designed to protect subscriber privacy.
3. Describe in detail what measures will be taken on an ongoing basis to protect subscriber
privacy and to inform subscribers as to how subscriber information is to be collected,
retained, used and disseminated.
4. Describe the remedies for breach of subscriber privacy which the applicant will make
available to subscribers. Detail procedures or privacy complaint resolution.
93
B. Consumer Complaint and Repair Procedures
1. Describe in detail your policy for handling consumer complaints, inquiries and repair
requests. Describe how this policy is or will be implemented including the role of the
Consortium. Indicate the number of days in which complaints will be resolved.
2. Describe how you will notify subscribers on an ongoing basis of your complaint, service and
maintenance procedures, providing a sample of such notification.
3. Provide a copy of the system's consumer handbook or information packet and indicate how
often it is provided to the subscribers.
4. Hours of office(s) operation will be:
Monday - Fridays: a.m. to p.m.
Saturdays: a.m. to p.m.
Sundays & Holidays: a.m. to p.m.
5. How soon after a trouble call is received will a service employee be required to correct the
problem either by telephone contact with subscriber or by a visit to the premises, or by a
doorknob hanger if no one is home?
Within 24 -hours: ( )
Same day: ( )
Close of next business day: ( )
Within five hours: ( )
Other: ( )
6. Provide the percent of service calls that are corrected on one or more service calls.
94
One Visit % Three Visits
Two Visits % Four or More Visits
7. Please provide your plan for how the number of multiple repair service calls for the same
subscribers will be reduced and what percentage will be met.
8. What will be the Company's policy for missed appointments?
9. List the addresses of the Company's offices and payment stations.
10. Where will telephone calls be received?
11. How will trouble calls be received outside normal business hours and how will technicians
be informed?
12. How soon will individual trouble calls outside normal hours be given to a repair or service
person?
13. Describe how subscribers will be notified of routine maintenance and when such
maintenance will be scheduled.
14. Describe when technicians will respond to system outages and when subscribers will receive
rebates.
95
15. Indicate the proposed number of active phone lines by which customers may reach office
personnel.
Also, indicate:
(a) The percent of all customer service calls that will be answered within one minute;
(b) The percent of all customer service calls that will be answered within two minutes;
(c) The percent of calls that will be lost;
(d) The percent receiving a busy signal;
(e) The amount of time customers are placed on hold;
(f) How information will be provided to the Consortium to monitor these standards.
16. Indicate the percent of repair calls that will be answered satisfactorily within a 24-hour
period on an annual basis and what steps will be taken if this level of service is not obtained.
17. Indicate if appointments are scheduled with subscribers on a two-hour or other basis.
18. Describe in detail how the system will be compatible with consumer electronics.
19. Describe what the Company's policy regarding subscriber requests for underground drops
will be in areas served aerially.
20. What type of equipment will be provided to subscribers or franchise areas that do not wish
to receive specific access channels?
96
21. Indicate if the Company meets the FCC customer service standards and provide relevant
quarterly management data for the last year.
22. Please provide the Company's plan for minimizing the number of repeat repair calls.
23. Please provide the Company's plan for increasing the percent of subscribers receiving a
service call within twenty-four hours of a request.
24. Please provide the Company's plan for decreasing the amount of time subscribers wait for
installation of cable service.
25. Please provide the Company's plan for decreasing the amount of time subscribers are put on
hold and decreasing the percent of time subscribers receive a busy signal.
26. Please provide the Company's plan for promptly responding to citizen complaints forwarded
by Consortium communities and for providing a written description of the Company's
response to the effected Consortium communities.
27. Will the Company comply with the NCTA customer service guidelines?
97
C. Billing Practices
1. Describe in detail the Company's billing, payment and collection procedures and policies
(e.g., form and type of billing, system outages). Indicate the number of days in which
complaints will be resolved. Also attach a sample billing form. Indicate if the subscriber
will not be required to pay the disputed portion of the bill until the complaint procedures
have been followed.
2. Currently, cable subscribers call the Office of the City Clerk for cable problems since that
number is on Time Warner Cable's bills. Please state how the bill will be clarified to
indicate that subscribers should only call the City Clerk for franchise matters, not cable
service or cable service questions.
3. Describe the Company's policy for handling billing complaints and describe how this policy
is or will be implemented.
4. Provide the name of the collection agency being utilized by the Company and guidelines
used for the collection of past due accounts.
5. Describe the Company's policy regarding late fees, the amount of the late fee, and what the
direct costs are to the Company for late fee collection.
98
Section XI Innovative Projects
Part
Description A
99
A. Description
1. Briefly describe any pilot, experimental, or innovative project(s) that the applicant and/or
the parent and AT&T or other joint venture partner intends to develop in the Consortium.
Examples of such project(s) may include, but are not limited to, services to be provided for
education, business or institutional services, and joint ventures with private entities, local
public or educational institutions. Indicate whether the project(s) currently is operational,
being developed, or is a proposed new project and the projected timetable(s).
2. Provide related contracts with third party entities.
3. Please provide a timetable for implementation.
4. Describe any joint ventures, contracts, or relationships with other telecommunications
entities to conduct innovative projects in the Consortium area.
100
Section XII Term of Franchise
Part
Term of Franchise A
101
A. Term of Franchise
1. The Consortium will extend the business terms of the current Ithaca franchise for five years
with specific modifications for Consortium communities, but if the Consortium's franchising
authorities believe the Company's proposal meets community needs, the Consortium will
consider a longer term. Indicate the term, in years, which applicant seeks for this franchise.
102
APPENDIX A
GOVERNMENT AND EDUCATIONAL
ACCESS EQUIPMENT
4/20/99
Appendix A
Government and Educational Access Equipment
City of Ithaca - Government Access
Robotics equipment for the Council Chambers
All equipment should be industrial quality
4 robotics cameras and associated equipment
off-site switcher
audio equipment
character generator
monitors
dubbing and editing equipment
ancillary equipment
Consortium Communities - Government and Educational Equipment
All equipment should be industrial quality
Equipment for four small studios (Consortium communities to provide buildings for
studios). Each studio should include:
• 3 cameras
• control room equipment
• audio equipment
• lighting equipment
• playback and editing equipment
• one portable eng/video unit
• associated equipment
Equipment to allow mobile use of studio cameras for multi -camera shoots (e.g. Council
meetings or hearings)
Renovation funds
Public Schools - Educational Access Equipment
Equipment replacement and upgrade
4/20/99
APPENDIX B
I -NET EXTENSIONS
4/20/99
Appendix B
I -Net Extensions
City of Ithaca
1. City of Ithaca, Police Satellite Offices:
• Northside Office, 526 Madison Street
• Commons Office, 171 East State Street
( Southside Office, 305 South Plain Street is already connected through Southside Community Center)
2. Water Treatment Center, Bolton Point
1402 East Shore Drive
3. County Mental Health Building
201 East Green Street
4. County Human Services
120 West State Street
5. Fire Training
200 Pier Road
6. Waste Water Treatment Plant
525 Third Street Extension
Town & Village of Groton
1. Groton Town Hall, Highway Dept. & Justice Court
101 Conger Blvd.
2. Groton Village Municipal Building & Fire Department
108 E. Cortland St.
3. Groton High School & Middle School
400 Peru Road
4/20/99
Town & Village of Groton (Cont'd)
4. Groton Elementary School
516 Elm Street
5. McLean Central School
20 School Street (McLean)
6. McLean Fire Department
2 The Square (McLean)
7. Groton Community Health Care Center &
Residential Care Facility
120 Sykes Street
8. Groton Intermediate Care Facility
705 Elm Street
9. Groton Housing Authority (Senior Citizen Housing)
200 West South Street
10: Schoolhouse Gardens Apartments
177 Main Street
Trumansburg/Ulysses
1. Trumansburg Central Schools (Five Buildings)
100 Whig St.
Distance learning, video production (video)
2. Town Hall
Elm Street
Data for communication with County, etc. Video for court video
arraignments and broadcast of Town Board meetings (data, video)
3. Trumansburg Village Hall/Police
56 East Main St.
Data for communication w/County, sheriff, other police depts., etc. Video for
broadcast of Board meetings. Note: Town and Village Halls are across the street
from each other, could share one set of portable video equipment (data, video)
4/20/99
Trumansburg(Ulysses (Cont'd)
4. Trumanburg Fire Hall
West Main Street
Distance education, PEG origination (video)
5. Trumanburg Historical Society
39 South Street
Distance education (video)
6. Trumanburg Conservatory
Congress Street
Distance education, concert broadcasts (video)
7. Ulysses Library
East Main Street
Public access, FLLS catalog (data)
8. Trumanburg Village DPW
Corey Street
Telemetry (data)
Village Sewer Plant
Lake Street
Telemetry (data)
10. Town DPW
Colegrove Road
Telemetry (data)
Town of Caroline
1. Brooktondale Community Center
Valley Road 14817
Data & 2 -way video
2. Brooktondale Fire Hall
Valley Road 14817
Data & 1 -way video
Interested in free or discounted RoadRunner & Cable
4/20/99
Town of Caroline (Cont'd)
3. Caroline School
2439 Slaterville Road 14881
Data & 2 -way video
Classrooms internally wired
4. Caroline Town Barns/Highway Dept.
852 Valley Road 14817
Internet
5. Caroline Town Hall/Court/Library
2670 Slaterville Road 14881
Data & 2 -way video
Computer available for library Internet; video arraignment desired for Court
cablecast for town meetings
6. Fountain Manor Retirement Home
9 Midline Road 14881
(next to Slaterville Town Hall
Two 1 -way video connections for public areas (upstairs & downstairs)
Haven't been notified of senior discounts
7. Slaterville Fire Hall
2681 Slaterville Road 14881
2 -way video & Internet, Roadrunner for NYDOS training
8. Speedsville Fire Hall
40 Mill Road 13736
2 -way video & Internet
Have satellite connection for EMS
9. Speedsville Community Center
13 Speedsville Commons 13736
Building not in use at this time
Village of Freeville
1. Village of Freeville/Police, Clerk, and Justice Office
5 Factory Street
2. Freeville Fire Station
21 Union Street
4/20/99
Village of Freeville (Cont'd)
Other options:
3. Freeville Elementary School
4. Post Office
Village of Lansing
1. Village Office
2405 North Triphammer Road
2 -way full motion video & data
2. Public Works Garage
2405 North Triphammer Road
Data only
3. Lansing Fire Station #5
Oakcrest Road
4. Convenient Care Center
10 Arrowwood Drive
5. County Airport
Business & Technology Park
72 Brown Road
Village of Cayuga Heights
1. Cayuga Heights Village Hall
836 Hanshaw Road
Cable hook-up for public access & additional video hook-up & data
2. Cayuga Heights Fire House
194 Pleasant Grove Road
Cable hook-up for public access & additional video hook-up & data
3. Cayuga Heights School
110 E. Upland Road
Cable hook-up for public access & additional video hook-up
4/20/99
Village of Dryden
1. Dryden Village Hall & DPW Building
2. Dryden Fire Department (Neptune Hose)
3. Dryden Elementary School
4. Dryden Historical Society
5. Southworth Library
6. TC3 (School)
170 North Street
Town of Ithaca
1. Town of Ithaca Highway Department
106 Seven Mile Drive
Video/data
2. Town of Ithaca Town Hall
213 N. Tioga Street
Video/data
3. Hospital/Cayuga Medical Center
101 Dates Drive
Town of Lansing
1. Lansing Town Hall
29 Ridge Road
P.O. Box 186
2. Town Office & Justice Court
29 Auburn Road
3. Lansing Town Highway Department
10 Town Barn Road
P.O. Box 186
4. Lansing Central School District (3 buildings)
264 Ridge Road
5. Lansing Fire District
80 Ridge Road
P.O. Box 249
4/20/99
6. Lansing Residential Center
270 Auburn Road
7. Gossett Center
250 Auburn Road
Ithaca School District
All 19 facilities (many facilities included elsewhere in this Appendix)
Libraries
1. Tompkins County Public Library
New Location at 115 E. Green Street
2. Danby Reading Center
3. Caroline Reading Center
3. Finger Lakes Library System
4/20/99
4/20/99
Appendix C
Priority Two I -Net Sites
Cass Park Ice Rink
Chamber of Commerce
County Public Health - Biggs B
County Solid Waste & Recycling Center
CSMA (Community School of Music and Art)
ICSD Bus Garage
Red Cross Building
Cornell University, Performing Arts Center (video)
The State Theater
Stewart Park
Hangar Theatre (video).
4/20/99