Meeting Minutes
Meeting Agenda
Mission Statement
FAQ
Cable TV
High Speed Internet
Community TV


Communications Infrastructure Committee

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. The Adelphia Powerlink service is unsatisfactory; can the town fix it or replace Adelphia?
    Adelphia has recently replaced the old cable infrastructure in Amherst with a more modern system, it has significantly improved both television and internet services for Amherst customers. Under the current contract between the Town of Amherst, Adelphia’s sole requirement is to offer Internet service, such as Powerlink, by 2005. The town has no other jurisdiction or responsibility for internet service from Adelphia, so there is no recourse except for individual customers to make their concerns known to Adelphia. While the Committee is not empowered to intervene on behalf of consumers in Amherst, if you are dissatisfied with your service from Adelphia, the Committee is interested in knowing the specifics of your complaint to Adelphia, and if your issues were resolved to your satisfaction. Please copy the Selectmen on your written complaint to Adelphia, and also let us know the results.
  2. The Adelphia service experience is unsatisfactory; can the town terminate its contract with Adelphia?
    The Town of Amherst and Adelphia have a franchise agreement which is in force until July 2006. This agreement is binding on the town unless Adelphia breaches the terms of the agreement. To date, Adelphia has met all its commitments in the agreement, so there are no grounds for terminating the agreement. While the Committee is not empowered to intervene on behalf of consumers in Amherst, if you are dissatisfied with your service from Adelphia, the Committee is interested in knowing the specifics of your complaint to Adelphia, and if your issues were resolved to your satisfaction. Please copy the Selectmen on your written complaint to Adelphia, and also let us know the results.

  3. Is there any other cable company we can get in Amherst?
    The franchise agreement with Adelphia is non-exclusive; any other cable company can freely negotiate a franchise with the town and compete.  Currently, there is no other company exploring options to provide service to Amherst.
     
  4. What are my options for high speed internet service in Amherst?
    See the High Speed Internet Options page on this website.
     
  5. What are Adelphia’s plans for offering High Definition Television (HDTV) broadcasts?
    Adelphia currently offers several HDTV channels.  According to Adelphia’s notice to the Board, to receive HDTV services, customers must have an HDTV set and an HDTV receiver.  The HDTV receiver may be leased from Adelphia or purchased from an electronics retail store.  Customers who sign up for HDTV service and lease or purchase an Adelphia compatible HDTV receiver will receive an array of broadcast networks in high definition as the HDTV signal becomes available to Adelphia, at no extra charge. If customers subscribe to HBO or Showtime they will also receive, at no extra charge, HBO High Definition or Showtime High Definition respectively.  Additional HDTV programming and services may also be offered in the future.
     
  6. Adelphia just raised its prices, and I don’t like it. Can the town get them rolled back?
    With a few exceptions, the rates cable companies can charge are not regulated at the local, state, or federal level.  There are three reasons for this:

    • Cable service is not a "lifeline" service (that is, as an entertainment service, it is not necessary for public health or safety, and therefore is a discretionary option for most consumers);

    • For the vast majority of consumers, cable service has competition in many forms; directly from over-the-air broadcasters and satellite services, and indirectly through VCR and DVD rental services;

    • Cable companies must offer a broadcast tier, consisting mainly of channels which are broadcast locally, at a very low rate.

    For these reasons, the Town of Amherst has no authority or ability to influence Adelphia's pricing policy, and must rely on the presence of competition as outlined above to moderate Adelphia's prices.  As a private enterprise, Adelphia must balance the demands of some users for more channels, the costs of the channels it carries, and the reluctance of some subscribers to pay increased prices in setting its prices.  The only sure message it will receive is if customers downgrade or cancel their service in the face of price hikes. 

    The lowest cost service Adelphia offers is the "Broadcast Tier", consisting of Boston and Southern NH channels, New England Cable News, plus local Public, Education, and Government channels, for $13.95, which did not increase in the latest price adjustment.
     

  7. What should I do to make my development ready for cable service, and assure that new homes will be serviced by Adelphia?
    The franchise agreement with Adelphia sets forth density requirements that must be met before Adelphia must provide cable service. New developments in Amherst may not meet the required density. In those cases, the developer may choose to negotiate with Adelphia to build required infrastructure as part of the site development, making the capital cost to Adelphia less, and making the service financially viable for Adelphia and available to home buyers.

    Adelphia suggests the following guidelines — please contact Adelphia for current information before design or construction begins.

    1.  FOR THE LONG CABLE RUNS UNDERGROUND, WHAT SIZE PVC CONDUIT SHOULD PEOPLE INSTALL? 
    Most developers are placing 2" or 3" PVC Conduit with pull strings in the public way and we would like to see 2" PVC's with pull strings to houses over 250' otherwise a 1" conduit can be used.

    2.  FOR THE LONG CABLE CONDUITS, WHAT IS THE MINIMUM BENDING RADIUS?
    The minimum bending radius is 36" electrical sweeps.

     3.  FOR RUNS UP TO 250 FEET, WHAT SIZE CONDUIT (SPRINKLER PIPE?) SHOULD BE INSTALLED?
    1" to 250', 2" over 250'

    4.  FOR RUNS UP TO 250 FEET, WHAT KIND OF WIRE SHOULD BE INSTALLED IN THE CONDUIT/SPRINKLER PIPE?
    A 100% polypropylene string or equivalent should be used for a pull string.

    5.  FOR RUNS UP TO 250 FEET, YOU SAID PEOPLE DO NOT NEED THE BIG EXPENSIVE CABLE, HOWEVER, WOULD PERFORMANCE BE BETTER IF THEY DID IN FACT HAVE THE BIG CABLE?
    No, for the 250' distance, the signal should not be affected.

    6.  WHAT IS THE NUMBER OF DIG-SAFE?
    The number for DIG-SAFE is 1-800-DIG-SAFE aka 1-800-344-7233.

    7.  WOULD ADELPHIA BE WILLING TO GIVE HOMEOWNERS THE CABLE TO INSTALL THEMSELVES TO "GET READY" FOR THE FUTURE EVENTUAL WIRING OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD?
    Since Adelphia is responsible for maintaining the service to customers homes, we will need to place the cable, either by trenching or pulling it through the customer supplied conduit.

    8.  WHERE SHOULD PEOPLE INSTALL CONDUIT TO?  (I.E. NEAREST TELEPHONE POLE OR UNDERGROUND SERVICE BOX?
    The conduit should be generally placed from the telephone/electric company pole or pedestal location.  The conduit should run from that location to the same location that the power and telephone are at the house.  The conduits on the public ways need to be buried 24" to 36" below ground while service conduits on private property need to be buried 12" to 18" deep.

    9.  ANY OTHER ADVICE YOU WOULD HAVE FOR HOMEOWNERS TO INSTALL THEIR OWN CONDUIT FOR FUTURE CABLE TV?
    Make sure DIG-SAFE is called and marks the other utilities.  Extreme caution must still be used -  hand digging would  be the best way to avoid the other utilities.

    10. WHAT OTHER ADVICE DOES ADELHIA GIVE?
    The cost of placing conduit for Adelphia as well as telephone service is paid for by the developer.  If a developer chooses not to do this, you end up with a big expense for the homeowners.  We want to work with the towns and developers in order to provide services on a timely basis.  We just need to be kept informed as to where the next project is coming up.  The developers that keep Adelphia updated and informed - those are the ones Adelphia focuses on.

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