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2. Terms must be similar to terms granted to cable TV companies to be fair, but <br />some exceptions might be legally possible since Cable came in years ago <br />without much competition and now AT&T will be facing stiff competition. For <br />example, AT&T could be granted more years to wire the whole city. Because we <br />desire competition, we will help make it happen. We are reviewing AT&T’s <br />request for special treatment. Each city is different and should have the flexibility <br />to work this out. It cannot be properly done from Washington. <br /> <br />3. Whoever is the next company to install strong wires must wire the entire city <br />over time. There will probably not be enough demand for a third company so <br />AT&T must do a great job as the second company. This means high powered <br />cable to all neighborhoods eventually, not just some. Verizon is planning to wire <br />all homes in states where they operate, so it is feasible. This is the only way for <br />America to catch up to the rest of the world which enjoys much better high speed <br />internet than many Americans. Companies that try to come in and just wire parts <br />of the community will greatly harm our ability to compete internationally. It would <br />be comparable to just having phone service in part of your city. Unfortunately, <br />federal law allows cable companies to lower prices in neighborhoods where they <br />have competitors and keep prices higher where they do NOT have competitors. <br />That is a situation most cities would like to avoid. <br /> <br />4. The recent storms are a good example of why AT&T must offer emergency <br />alerts on every channel, just like cable. Citizens need to be warned of <br />unexpected storms. <br /> <br />5. The franchise fee paid by cable companies must be replicated by AT&T to be <br />fair. <br /> <br />6. Public, Education, and Government channels must be offered and instead of <br />producing shows like the cable companies do, AT&T could make a payment to <br />support these services. We are flexible but the public deserves that these <br />channels be offered whether it is a cable company or a phone company offering <br />video service. <br /> <br />Upcoming Meetings and Events: <br />Tuesday, August 8: 6:00 PM Centennial Lecture Series <br /> 7:30 PM University City Historical Society <br />Friday, August 11: 6:00 PM Metro Link Reception at Forsyth Station <br />Monday, August 14: 5:30 PM Study Session on Tree Ordinance <br /> 6:30 PM Council Meeting <br />Monday, August 21: 6:30 PM Elected and Appointed Official Training <br />Monday, August 28: 5:30 PM Study Session on Council Rules of Order <br /> 6:30 PM Council Meeting <br />Tuesday Sept 12: 6:30 PM SD Closing or Alternative building use <br />Monday, Sept. 14: 5:30 PM Study Session on Economic Development <br /> Policies <br /> <br />