| RED BANK'S VERIZON DEAL REQUIRES STRONG NEGOTIATIONS |
I am happy to see that Verizon picked Red Bank as a pilot town in which to apply for a cable TV franchise and I am glad to see that the Red Bank town council has approved Verizon’s application. Now that the two partners have entered the negotiation phase I propose several subjects be on the table.
‘A La carte’ cable service
‘A La carte’ cable service allows the subscriber to pick and pay for only those channels that they want to subscribe to. Most of us don’t think twice about the price we pay for cable service but to many people basic cable TV is not within their budget. If you are a parent and want to help your child by subscribing to educational or children’s programming then you are forced to subscribe to a cable package which will include many gossip, political and sports networks. You should not be forced to pay for those channels. Verizon should promise to offer ‘A La carte’ service to Red Bank residents.
Municipal WIFI
As New Jersey’s ‘hippest’ town, Red Bank may someday choose to follow the lead of progressive cities such as San Francisico and Philedelphia by offering a free municipal WiFi network. This would provide free internet access to all residents regardless of income level; helping to fight the emerging digital divide. Verizon has vehemently fought municipal WiFi plans. Verizon should promise to not oppose a future municipal WiFi network.
‘Network Neutrality’
Verizon will be using Internet Protocol (IP) to deliver video service to Red Bank residents. Thus it is appropriate to ask Verizon to address the issue of Network Neutrality. Telecom bosses, including Verizon’s, have been talking a lot lately about Network Neutrality and Tiered Internet plans. These plans would restrict or charge extra for internet users to visit certain web sites such as Google Video or Apple’s iTunes. Verizon should promise Red Bank residents that they will respect the principals of Network Neutrality and not implement Tiered Internet plans.
Many municipalities are watching to see how Red Bank and Verizon proceed with their partnership. The Red Bank town council is in the unique position of holding sway over a huge corporation. Verizon needs this deal with Red Bank much more than Red Bank needs the Verizon cable service. The Red Bank town council must negotiate strongly with Verizon and not be dissuaded by corporate largess or red herring excuses.
For more information or to help out I invite you to visit my web: www.redbanktv.org
Tom Labetti
Red Bank NJ
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