Cable TV choice could be reality

Verizon files request with Hightstown.

By: Vic Monaco
   HIGHTSTOWN — Borough residents and businesses could soon have something most folks don’t – a choice when it comes to cable television providers.
   Verizon announced Wednesday that it has filed requests to supply digital video service through its fiber-optic network to five New Jersey towns including Hightstown. If approved by the borough and the state, Verizon could compete against the borough’s lone cable provider, Comcast.
   Mayor Bob Patten said Thursday that the Borough Council will discuss Verizon’s request at its Monday night meeting, with Borough Attorney Fred Raffetto explaining the process through which Verizon could receive local approval before it seeks approval from the state Board of Public Utilities.
   "The bottom line is to have competition," the mayor said. "Personally, I think it would be the fair way to go."
   Mayor Patten said the council will likely introduce an ordinance in January to approve Verizon’s entrance into the local market.
   "I don’t think it’s a controversial thing," he said.
   Verizon spokesman Rich Young said, if approved, the company plans to provide a basic cable package of 15 to 30 channels for $12.95 a month. An expanded package of 160 channels plus the basic channels would likely cost $39.95 a month, he said.
   That compares to Comcast’s charges in Hightstown of $16.40 for a basic package of 33 channels and $53.45 for an expanded package of about 80 channels, according to Comcast spokesman Patrick MacElroy, who said the company is up for the competition.
   "Verizon is trying to catch up to where we are already, and Comcast feels very confident in our ability to compete," he said.
   Any potential competition in the borough would wait a while. Mr. Young said it would probably be another year before Verizon could get state approval. For that reason, Verizon is urging for legislation that would create a statewide franchise, allowing the company to forgo local approvals.
   "The reality here is that we’ll be lucky if we get one done a year from now," Mr. Young said in a reference to Verizon’s five local applications. "It’s a time-consuming process and the cable industry will throw up roadblocks at every turn."
   Mr. Young explained that the company has been building its network in Hightstown for a few weeks and should be finished that work in about three weeks. Construction of the network — which can provide telephone, Internet and cable TV services – does not require any local or state permission, he said. It’s just the cable services that do.
   As for why Verizon chose Hightstown to file one of the initial requests, Mr. Young said a big reason was that "the town has been receptive to this."
   The other towns where Verizon has filed cable TV requests are Passaic, Red, Bank, Demarest and Park Ridge. In addition to announcing the local requests, Verizon stated Wednesday that it has begun building its Fiber-to-the-Premises Network in 21 more New Jersey communities — including Hightstown, Roosevelt and Millstone — bringing that total number to 123.
   In related news, Mayor Patten said Thursday that he plans to form a cable TV committee "to get a feel for what the community’s needs are." For example, he said, some members of the Hispanic community have said they would like more Spanish-speaking programs.
   The committee also would review the upcoming renewal request from Comcast, whose 10-year agreement with the borough expires in January 2008. Once again touting local competition, the mayor said it is doubtful the borough would oppose a franchise extension for Comcast simply because Verizon service may be in place.