WCCA sent an email to The City Manager and the City Council today addressing Item 8.32 A on today's Council meeting agenda.

It reads as follows:

Item 8.32 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Technical Services Division
Recommend Adoption A.
Recommend City Council Adoption of an Order Authorizing the Administration to enter into a Contract for a Term of Greater than Three Years for The Development and Implementation of a New State-of-the-Art City-Wide Telecommunications Network.

[more info]

There was no mention, that we found, of PEG use of the INet or the transmission of video over the INet. INet is a major component of a cable contract. Thus the concern. It is important the city comprehensively address all public access (channels 11, 12 as well as 13’s) needs relative to video inclusion on all level of a telecommunication and cable network.

WCCA TV has asked the City through the council and city manager, via emails and phone calls this morning, to be sure to include WCCA TV 13, public access, to the new Institutional Network (aka INet).

WCCA TV has utilized and depended upon INet access since 1986. Not only is it vital for any inclusive city to include its public access channel in its INet it is essential for the transmission of all three of the Public, Ed, and Gvt channels.

INet is an important component of the cable franchise negotiations as it has been for both Greater Media (1986-1996) and Charter (1997-2007 and through the extensions)contracts.

Questions may be raised as to Charter's compliance with their obligation concerning maintenance of the current INet which is included in the current extended cable franchise contract.

INet infrastructure also connects public/ institutional buildings, and provides a network which would allow WCCA TV to shoot live from remote locations. As communicated during the recent ascertainment process, we project that as WCCA TV expands operations and the people of Worcester continue to expand and migrate into digital modes of video community programming WCCA's operations will require increased access to INet infrastructure. We look for assurances that WCCA TV 13 will be included and connected.

On behalf of our Board of Directors, Members, and Associates, please ask our city council and the city manager not to forget WCCA TV and the thousands of individuals and non-profits that depend upon this aspect of technology to reach out and connect.

Mauro DePasquale, WCCA TV 13, The People's Channel, Worcester, MA
508-755-1880 ext 11
Home 508-797-3977