Wednesday, October 11, 2000
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Wednesday, October 11, 2000 |
| Dispute with DOT
puts deadline for cable TV upgrade in jeopardy
By DAVE HAMRICK The good news is that, when AT&T Broadband finishes its upgrade of Fayette County's cable television facilities, local residents who currently can't watch Atlanta Braves games on Turner South will be able to do so. The bad news is that it may be awhile longer before the upgrade is completed. "Yes, that [Turner South] will be part of the expanded lineup," said company spokesman Reg Griffin in answer to one of the most often-asked questions from local viewers. Along with frequent service interruptions and poor reception, not being able to get the Braves games and other sporting events has been one of the biggest complaints with the county's antiquated cable system. But with the upgrade 70 percent complete, a dispute between the company and the Georgia Department of Transportation has halted work, and there's no telling how long it will be before Fayette residents will have the new, improved service. DOT has demanded that AT&T pay a telephone use fee before the agency will issue permits to allow the company to install its cable trunk lines on state right of ways. "It took everybody by surprise," said Griffin. "They have never asked before that we pay this anywhere that we provide service," said Michael Grover, an attorney for AT&T Broadband. While upgrade of the cable system does eventually allow the company to offer phone service in areas where it provides cable service, "telephone is down the road," said Griffin. "We feel like that [telephone use fee] doesn't apply." The company is working to convince DOT to change its mind, and may go to court if necessary, he said. The firm also has asked the Fayette County government to use its influence in the matter. But as of this week, no solution to the impasse has been found, and the company may miss its promised Nov. 30 deadline for activating new and improved cable service in Fayette, he said, adding there's no telling how long it will be before work can resume. Most Fayette neighborhoods have new cable in place, but the fiber optic trunk lines that supply broadband service remain to be installed, he said. Once the main lines are finished, all local customers will get the new service at the same time, he added. Meanwhile, the season is over for the Braves. Maybe next year...
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