Untangling the lines of communication in Pine Plains

"Why can’t the 518 area code get it?" asked town Councilwoman Dorean Gardner.

The town, while able to get cable and Internet, cannot obtain Optimum voice service.

Cablevision Director of Government Affairs Roger Connor said he’s heard rumors certain municipalities have been holding back Cablevision from offering the services because of contractual issues, but stressed that’s not true. There are other issues, however.

"We’re only servicing 2,000 customers in Millerton, North East and Pine Plains. When we buy a block of telephone numbers it’s in the thousands, so that’s the element of cost," he said. "The other part is we need to develop a contract between Cablevision/Optimum and Fairpoint [the current phone provider in the 518 area code]."

Connor added his company is also trying to make a contractual arrangement with Fairpoint so those customers who decide to switch carriers can keep their same telephone numbers.

He said early on Cablevision did hook up a few customers in Pine Plains, so the technology works, but regulations and contracts have kept it from "rolling out." It is expected the complete triple play package will launch in December and be in "full deployment" by January 2009.

"I don’t think I should put it all on Fairpoint," Connor said. "Our guys had to do business analysis before they could say, ‘Let’s do this.’"

Resident Carol Miller said she was given Triple Play service this past December, but that there were problems.

"We were given the service and an 845 [area code] phone number, but interestingly, as the weeks went on I was unable to dial into 518 [area code numbers]. Then I got a letter from Optimum that they couldn’t continue the number," she said. "I was never told, ‘Wait it out, you’ll be able to connect to Optimum in six months.’"

"That is unfortunate, because we really shouldn’t have sold you that service in the first place," Connor said.

Other residents voiced their concerns, some of which were based on the pocketbook.

"Tell us why you’re so expensive.I started out with a senior’s discount and that was taken away," said resident Virginia Kemp, who also said she is paying for more than she wants. "I have two Spanish channels, three religious channels, a Japanese channel... We have a brand new high-definition flatscreen TV and the damn thing freezes up all the time.

"It doesn’t sound like things are going to get any better," she added. "It sounds like they’re going to get worse."

While Kemp’s problems with her digital TV may or may not be Cablevision’s, Connor acknowledges Cablevision is having technical difficulties.

"We are in the midst of a technical transition that we’re not done with yet," Connor responded, explaining the digital migration from analog television sets to digital ones. "Most TV manufacturers have stopped making analog TVs. The government has said that by February ’09 they have to only make digital TVs. That’s why we can offer the converter box for a year for no extra charge."

"What you’re not telling us is what it will cost after that year," Kemp said. "It could be $75 a month."

"It won’t be that much," Connor responded. "The boxes themselves are $6, though if they’re in many rooms it could add up."

Town Councilman Bob Couse said he too gets a lot of channels he’s not interested in, and for that Cablevision should "knock down" the price. Additionally, he said, he could do without the box.

"I understand the digital cable can be sent to us," he said. "So I don’t need the box, right?"

"That is a legitimate question that I can’t answer tonight," Connor said.

Couse also raised questions about Cablevision’s franchise renewal agreement with the town. Rates and charges should be subject to town approval, according to Couse.

Connor said interpretation is based on language from 1999 that is no longer applicable, as it’s not in accordance with all state and federal laws.

Another issue residents wanted addressed centered around the Albany TV station, WRGB Channel 6, which many considered their local news source (especially for area weather reports). Connor explained Cablevision no longer carries that station.

"When we interconnected many of our systems, the antenna in Dover which was getting Channel 6 was put out of commission," Connor said, adding that Cablevision is not required to offer the station as Pine Plains is actually considered part of Manhattan’s local market, and not Albany’s. "I know our customers, more than any other local channel, would like to see WRGB back, but that’s not going to happen with today’s technology."

"No one is holding a gun to your head saying you can’t carry WRGB — you still have a choice," resident John Henry Lowe said. "You can turn a dish on. Don’t hide behind regulations."

"I’m not hiding, it’s a technological decision and it’s a business decision," Connor countered. "I’m giving you the straight scoop as I’ve been told it and the rationale."

Questions also were raised about Internet service.

"Will I be able to keep my Taconic e-mail address?" resident Connie Young asked.

Young was told that she would have to change the last part of her address.

Another query had to do with power outages, and whether service from Cablevision/Optimum would be affected.

"With fiber optics there are no electronics," Connor said, explaining the system would not be impacted by an outage. "The nodes have battery backups within the [electrical] boxes themselves."

Resident Dorothy Mayo said her issue with Cablevision had to do with its treatment of customers, and that the company has "pissed off people" in the community.

"It sounds to me like you’ve got a public relations problem," she said. "I had a whole series of experiences; [they said I could have the service] and then they said I couldn’t have it. This has gone on forever.

"I want voice," she said to Connor. "And I want it in December, or I’ll hunt you down."

Connor said he would return to Pine Plains as December draws near, with more information for residents about Optimum/Cablevision services.