Verizon California Inc. is attempting to become the city’s second cable franchise. Charter Communications is currently the only cable provider in Malibu.
By The Malibu Times Staff
Malibu residents might soon be able to choose their cable provider-or at least have a second option. The City Council is expected to vote at its July 24 meeting on a draft cable franchise agreement between the city and Verizon California Inc.
If approved, Verizon would be in direct competition with existing Malibu cable provider Charter Communications, which has a contract with the city through January of next year.
Federal law allows a city to have a second cable franchise, but state law requires the council consider certain criteria before approving a second franchise. This includes whether the franchise is technically and financially sound, if it is economically feasible for the city to have an additional franchise and the possible impacts on the community of having an additional franchise.
The city staff is currently working on crafting an ordinance that addresses issues involving cable, video and telecommunications that will eventually go before the council. With its current contract with Charter, the city is still following the county code. If the council were to approve an ordinance, a renewal agreement next year with Charter would have to be in line with the new city law. According to a staff report on the draft agreement with Verizon, that agreement differs slightly from the proposed city ordinance.
Verizon has been upgrading its telecommunications facilities in Malibu with the installation of a Fiber to the premises, or FTTP, network. This type of network is based on fiber-optic cables and associated optical electronics rather than copper wire.
If approved, the Verizon agreement only affects cable service with the company. Other Verizon services are not subject to municipal law.