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1. Why is Comcast the only cable provider in the county? What about competition?

Comcast does not have an exclusive franchise in Calvert County. Other cable providers can offer to provide service in the county. Comcast is the only provider to enter the market. The Board of County Commissioners supports competition in cable services but it cannot require companies to provide that service. Cable companies must make their own business cases before entering a new market.

2. Is a special tax district a solution to financing service extension to unserved areas?

Yes, special tax districts and other methods have been used in other localities to finance the extension of cable and broadband services. Those decisions are dependent on the support of residents and local elected officials.

3. How will the new franchise agreement address unserved areas in the county?

While the franchise agreement cannot, by law, address internet service, cable TV providers commonly include internet in their set of services. Calvert County worked to get the best possible coverage in the agreement to address areas currently without internet service.

The agreement maintains a requirement that service be extended to any area that has at least 15 homes per mile. This density requirement is the lowest density approved in Maryland.

County staff worked with Comcast to identify unserved areas that do not meet density requirements. Four unserved areas have been identified as eligible for build by Comcast.

The County will continue to work with Comcast to find opportunities to make expansion into unserved areas more affordable.

While internet service is not covered in the franchise agreement, the County will also pursue options and technologies to address internet coverage in unserved areas.

4. What percentage of the county does not have access to cable?

While exact figures are difficult to ascertain, the percentage of county residents who do not have access to cable is approximately 1.5 percent.

5. Are cable rates a part of the franchise agreement?

No. Federal law holds that cable rate setting is deregulated. Local franchise agreements cannot set rate parameters.

6. How will the new franchise agreement be enforced?

Every 36 months the county can perform a full compliance audit to ensure the terms of the agreement are being met. The county may inspect the cable system and can require immediate remedy if a danger or threat to safety is found. There are triggers throughout the agreement that would prompt reporting requirements from Comcast.

7. Can cable companies be removed from providing service if they do not perform as expected?

Yes, the franchise process allows localities to pursue removal for non-performance, but the process – as defined by federal regulations – is generally weighted in favor of the cable companies.

8. Why does the current franchise agreement cover a 15-year term?

The terms of franchise agreements are negotiable. Most recent agreements last for 10 years or less due to the fast pace of technology. Some have been as short as five years. However, federal law says community needs assessments should occur three years before the end of a franchise agreement. Short-term agreements could therefore pose challenges in the renegotiation process.