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Cable companies have the right under federal communications law to reserve the right to a formal process of renewal if their receipt of such request by the Board of Selectmen is timely. “Timely” receipt of such request is if it is received within the first six (6) months of the three year window. In the case of Comcast, the request to reserve a formal process was received on March 3, 2008, well before the deadline of August 2, 2008. In the case of RCN, however, receipt of the request reserving the formal process should have been received by October 10, 2007. The
actual receipt of their request occurred via letter dated March 5, 2008 from RCN. As a result, they have lost their right to a formal process and must follow an informal process.
After letters were sent, the next step in the licensing process is called ascertainment. This involves the collection of information from the community and interested parties by the Cable Advisory Board (CAB) to determine or ascertain how the cable companies are performing as per the agreement. As part of the data collection process, public hearings will be held (usually between the BOS and the CAC) where citizens and groups can provide input. To provide input right now, click here to fill out a survey.
Following the public hearings and ascertainment, a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) will be prepared and distributed by the CAB to both Comcast and RCN. This RFQ will include the Town’s requests for service and financial requests for the upcoming licensing agreement. The cable companies will respond with a formal document to the RFQ. Once these actions have taken place, then and only then will actual negotiations between representatives of the cable companies and the Town take place.
Once negotiations have taken place, the CAB will make a formal recommendation to the Board of Selectmen regarding award of new cable licenses to both Comcast and RCN.
Currently, the Town is in the Ascertainment Phase. To find out more information, please click on a link below or e-mail cable@natickma.org.
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