CableOne’s Franchise Agreement With Holbrook Extended Until July

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By Tammy Gray-Searles

“Is extending the franchise agreement important to CableOne? Is it not important enough for CableOne to have a representative here this evening?” asked Councilman Charles Haussman during a discussion Tuesday evening on whether the council should approve renewal of the cable television firm’s franchise agreement with the city.

Haussman’s remarks followed Mayor Bryan Smithson’s statement that he did not want to approve renewal of the agreement without negotiating the possible reopening of a CableOne office in Holbrook, and a commitment to renew the firm’s community involvement.

“They moved out of Holbrook,” he said. “When they were here, they were visible with community activities. Since the office left, we haven’t seen them. If we’re going to let them be a franchise here, they need to be more visible,” said the mayor.

City Attorney Sterling Solomon told the council members that he had left messages for company representatives regarding renewal of the franchise agreement, but had been unable to speak with anyone directly.

“If it can’t be negotiated, then it simply ends,” he remarked.

According to Solomon, although the franchise agreement with CableOne expired in December, the firm is continuing to operate using public property, because the agreement is technically in negotiations. He suggested that the council temporarily renew the official franchise agreement through July 1, while an attempt is made to negotiate a new agreement.

City Manager David Newlin told the council that the franchise agreement would also have to be approved by the voters. In order for the issue to appear on the ballot in May, the agreement will have to be finalized by March.

“The agreement allows them to use public property and has to be approved by the voters,” Newlin said. “I recommend we extend it to July and then negotiate a new agreement, and then get it to the public so they can vote on it.”

Economic Development Director A’kos Kovach noted that the franchise agreement with CableOne is not exclusive, and the city can entertain offers from other cable service providers if it wishes to do so.

Later in the meeting, Kovach asked the council to approve an agreement with Omera Incorporated to provide wireless Internet service in Holbrook. He noted that Omera also offers cable television services, although company officials had not yet asked to provide those services in Holbrook.

The council unanimously approved temporarily extending the franchise agreement with CableOne until July 1. The council asked city staff members to negotiate with CableOne to address the concerns raised by Mayor Smithson about the lack of community involvement and an office in Holbrook.

The council also approved the agreement with Omera to provide wireless Internet services in Holbrook. Under the agreement, the city gives Omera exclusive franchise rights for wireless Internet services, and the right to use city owned property, such as radio towers and light poles, for installation of the wireless equipment. In return, Omera will provide a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) at no cost for the city’s video surveillance network, the police department, the fire department, emergency medical services (EMS) and the water/wastewater department. Omera will also provide training and technical support for the VLANs.

Once the equipment is in place, wireless Internet service will be available throughout the entire city, meaning that a subscriber could connect to the Internet using wireless technology at any location in Holbrook.


CableOne’s Franchise Agreement With Holbrook Extended Until July