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There have been several inquiries from Comcast cable subscribers inquiring as to a line item appearing on recent statements from Comcast. The line item is entitled, “access fee.” Subscribers should know that the Board of Selectmen as the local Licensing Authority under federal law recently negotiated a renewal of Comcast’s license for an additional 10 years.
Under the Federal Telecommunications Act local municipalities may negotiate up to a five percent of the provider’s gross revenues to compensate the municipality for the use of its public ways for the locating of cable equipment used to facilitate the transmission of cable television programming. It should be understood that this five percent of gross revenue fee can only be utilized by the municipality for cable-related activities and does not go to the general coffers of the Town as, for instance, general tax revenue. The Board will make these funds available pursuant to a written agreement with Arlington Community Media, Inc., a newly formed private entity that will provide public, educational and governmental programming (PEG) to Comcast subscribers. This five percent of gross revenue charged did not appear on
previous cable bills since Comcast provided these services directly. Comcast’s current business model does not provide for further providing these services directly. Federal law does not require that Comcast pass this additional five percent charge to its subscribers. It could have absorbed them without an increase to cable bills, but decided to pass this charge directly on to its subscribers. The Town has no say under the law regarding this choice by Comcast.
ACMI has recently hired a full-time access coordinator, whose time will be devoted to educational access. This individual will work hand-in-hand with school officials to directly capitalize on improving cable television as an educational tool. The money provided by Comcast, as reflected in the line item on their bills, will be used to substantially upgrade outdated capital equipment at the Dallin Library Studio and at the high school. Town officials will be working closely with ACMI to upgrade the coverage and reception of governmental and community meetings as well as local sports and other programs which will contribute greatly to community life in the Town.
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