Editor’s note: The following is a shortened version of a letter sent to the City Council.
I’d like to share with you a few experiences and comments regarding the possibility of Verizon obtaining a cable franchise agreement with the City. I have had Verizon FIOS (fiber optic) for phone and Internet service for over a year now. During this time, the system has performed flawlessly. My greatest concern is that Verizon be required to carry the channel with City Council meetings and the like, a suggestion that was made by Mayor Kearsley, I believe.
I would also specify that the channel necessarily be included in the most basic programming package (as well as all others). For myriad reasons, televised meetings are an important element of civic participation in Malibu. Any system that would give subscribers the option to choose a provider that didn’t provide community television would diminish the total knowledge and civic awareness among community members and voters.
A related concern is that Verizon offer, as part of its basic package, as wide a range of public and non-commercial stations as possible. For example, my current TV provider offers a number of PBS affiliates, each of which carries different programming.
I would request that Verizon be required to provide FM radio signal over the network. Many of us in Malibu do not have adequate radio reception, due to factors of geography and the orientation of stations’ transmitters. I do not know whether Charter cable carries FM radio any more. If Verizon were to include FM radio among its signals, I would be motivated to subscribe to it.
I understand that Verizon is requiring FIOS subscribers to get rid of their copper telephone wires. Some option to retain copper wires must be provided, even if only in exceptional circumstances. For instance, at residences (such as mine) without cell phone reception, during a power outage only a copper-wire landline phone will function, after the three to four hours provided by the FIOS backup battery.
Verizon does not provide support for Macintosh users. As their network router system is computer controlled, this represents a significant hurdle for non-PC users. Please require that Verizon offer support and installation for Mac-based homes and businesses. It’s not hard to do. If Verizon’s online interface provides any indication of how their system’s TV menu functions would work, I would have second thoughts.
Kraig M. Hill