The Observation Deck

Bryan

Go back and read what I wrote.

When the deal was signed, it was vaporware.

The release can be found and I will look for it.

I think if you go back and look, none of these cities have what was sold as the full delivered program.

I could be wrong, but I have watched this one closely as I am helping to write the story.


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Jim O'Bryan wrote:Bryan

Go back and read what I wrote.

When the deal was signed, it was vaporware.

The release can be found and I will look for it.

I think if you go back and look, none of these cities have what was sold as the full delivered program.

I could be wrong, but I have watched this one closely as I am helping to write the story.


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Jim your exact quote was "it was and still is vaporware". I know my English skills may be rusty, but I would imagine the part "and still is" refers to the present?

I guess I'm just trying to point out it's not vaporware, it exists in quite a number of places. And at least according to the website I posted, they offer at least 3 or 4 very competitive packages for TV, internet, and phone that match pretty closely what we can get from Cox.

So you're probably right that it's not the "fully delivered package", but I'm not sure exactly what's missing in those cities that have it.

Here's an interesting site that looks to be a community for customers of Uverse. Not sure if it will help you with any information for your story:

http://www.uverseusers.com/

And here are some stats from AT&T's investors conference:

Current State of Service
U-verse TV is currently passing 3 million homes in 21 markets
More than 70% of AT&T's access lines have received approval for U-verse
Current Install Rate - 600 per day, expect 10,000 per week by end of 2007
More than 40,000 current subscribers

Planned Features & Target Dates
Photos, VoIP, U-Bar, Yellow Pages - Q4 2007
2 HD Streams, Pair Bonding, iNID - Q2 2008
Whole Home DVR - Q3 2008
Caller ID on TV - Q4 2008
Higher Speeds based on loop length - 2008

Additional Notes
Planning to have 100+ HD channels by 2009
4 HD Streams + Internet + VoIP will require 37.8Mbps
Pair Bonding can deliver 58Mbps or higher depending on loop length

http://www.uverseusers.com/content/view/138/8/

Bryan

Thanks for the post and the links.

If you had sat in at the meeting or talked with council people, they acted and spoke like 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 projections were FACTS and REAL in 2006.

I have to think if any city really had "lightspeed" installations as we do then someone pulled a fast one or AT&T lied about the installation.

Possibly even pulling the three card monte as the gang members from Dennison did. I am trying to find out who brought in the box. AT&T, someone else or someone else with backing from AT&T. If my memory serves me correctly, a 5' brown box showed up at council, someone that seemed opposed brought in this box, much smaller than the real boxes, it was asked, "who would want this on their lawn." While bad, no where near as offensive as the real thing. Everyone looked then moved on.

Another interesting thought was could COX have wanted this to let them out of their contract and Lakewood fell for it? As the COX contract calls for equal treatment, they could cut many things they do for Lakewood, as AT&T has already said no to many of the perks.

Right not COX has slowed down I-net to schools and the library, stopped franchise payments to Lakewood. While unlike COX, it would indicate they plan to go ahead with the lawsuit and dropping the $700,000 in FREE services to the city.

No worry AT&T has promised up to $14,000 in legal help.

FWIW


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Jim O'Bryan wrote:Right not COX has slowed down I-net to schools and the library, stopped franchise payments to Lakewood. While unlike COX, it would indicate they plan to go ahead with the lawsuit and dropping the $700,000 in FREE services to the city.

Are you saying Cox is not paying the 5% franchise fee to Lakewood any longer?

They keep charging me for it on my bill...that doesn't seem fair.

Bryan Schwegler wrote:

Jim O'Bryan wrote:Right not COX has slowed down I-net to schools and the library, stopped franchise payments to Lakewood. While unlike COX, it would indicate they plan to go ahead with the lawsuit and dropping the $700,000 in FREE services to the city.

Are you saying Cox is not paying the 5% franchise fee to Lakewood any longer?

They keep charging me for it on my bill...that doesn't seem fair.

Bryan

I had heard that COX is withholding the payment, maybe filing it wit the court or escrow as to not be breaking the contract.

Lakewood Law Department is under the belief that this act would also be illegal on COX Communication's part.

I would look into it. Why pay if they are not.

Sad thing is, none of this had to happen. AT&T would have come no matter what. Lakewood, because of our density is a real money maker for anyone who has to run cables, pipe, hardware etc.

Then we have the honesty of the dealing.

Bad night at city hall, heck we all have off days.

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Well in the end this all may be a moot point anyway. The Ohio House passed the Cable Competition Bill yesterday:

http://www.columbusdispatch.com/dispatc ... cable.html

It already passed the Senate and is now going back to them for a vote with the House changes.

This bill removes the local franchise structure and instead replaces it with a state-wide structure. Local franchise agreements are soon to be a thing of the past.

Bryan Schwegler wrote:Well in the end this all may be a moot point anyway. The Ohio House passed the Cable Competition Bill yesterday:
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/dispatc ... cable.html
This bill removes the local franchise structure and instead replaces it with a state-wide structure. Local franchise agreements are soon to be a thing of the past.

Bryan

I never saw the $70,000 as a big deal. Though it would have tripled our excess in the budget last year and nearly double it this year.

The problems come from the FREE services, and the clause about removing equipment.

AT&T has every right to be in Lakewood. I have AT&T at home and COX at work. I have no quarrrel with AT&T getting the best deal then can. My problem comes from the way COX was treated and how the council chambers was greased to push this through. Even AT&T thought it would be a fight for a couple months!

FWIW.


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Jim O'Bryan wrote:My problem comes from the way COX was treated and how the council chambers was greased to push this through.

Jim, you can avoid the broadcast of innuendo if you use the active voice. What do you mean by this?

Kevin Butler wrote:

Jim O'Bryan wrote:My problem comes from the way COX was treated and how the council chambers was greased to push this through.

Jim, you can avoid the broadcast of innuendo if you use the active voice. What do you mean by this?

Kevin

Let's be honest here. The general perception was that Dennis Dunn with his past and current connection with Lakewood, City Council etc, greased the skids.

As Denis said from the start that night, "It seems so odd stading down here when I used to sit up there with you..."

As you said that night. "Why are we being pushed into this..."

I know for a fact, that AT&T figured it would take at least two to four months or more to get this through council. Which means that even AT&T were amazed that council realized, "No one here is going to graduate from law school by then..."

Kevin, no one is attacking your honor. I know that you have worked very hard for your reputation which is deserved. I am talking perception and comments that have come since.

The Lodge commetn from Steve Davis comes from a photo that was taken of the lodge. Neither one of this thinks it is evil. this is how business is done, golf, entertainment, etc. I would hope no one would sell out the city for a ticket to the baseball game!

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I just noticed that COX is increasing the standard cable service by $2.00 on 7/1. Where is LIGHTSPEED, the proposed competition from ATT? I thought competition was going to lower fees.

Maybe this charge compensates for all of those people who dropped HBO after THE SOPRANOS ended!

John Viglianco wrote:I just noticed that COX is increasing the standard cable service by $2.00 on 7/1.

For what? I'm starting to think it's not worth it.

Although I'd almost be willing to pay more in order to get VERSUS just so I could watch the Tour de France!!! Other cities with Cox have it but not lkwd. Every year I call and ask them and they say no.

Versus?

Come on, Lance is retired, so competitive bicycling is once again off America's radar. (except for repeats of "Breaking Away")

I WANT THE BIG TEN CHANNEL!!! Launching August 2007.

"Breaking Away"? What a great movie!

Jeff (IU, Class of '76)

John Viglianco wrote:I thought competition was going to lower fees.

Maybe this charge compensates for all of those people who dropped HBO after THE SOPRANOS ended!

John

The one thing made clear by both sides many times. "There will be no price war."

While some not connected with either company talked of lower prices, like WMDs in Iraq, they will never be found.

Joe

We all know Speedvision and F1 is worht it alone. through in the SCCA runoffs and you have a deal and a half.


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