Get Involved!

YOUR VO!CE MATTERS!

Who’s going to address equity issues for our youth? Will local, diverse programming be produced and available? Aren’t robust networks for communications technology vital to our region’s livability and economic health? What role will local government and the public play in our planning for future community’s technology needs?  How will the economically disadvantaged gain access to the technology they need?

If any of these questions are important to you, contact local decision makers. Let them know how important communications technology is to ANY future plans.  Get Your Vo!ce heard now, because we want our community to thrive with technology, not lag behind! 

Get Involved!

cable

Comcast Renewal

Comcast’s contracts with the Cities and the
County expire the end of this year and the question
remains whether local benefits & protections will continue.
Background:

Renewal of the cable franchises affords the Jurisdictions the opportunity to review Comcast’s performance under existing franchise agreement provisions, and through negotiation of a renewed franchise, ensure that Comcast will meet the cable-related needs and interests of the community into the future. Successful identification of community communications technology needs and interests through the ascertainment process will assist the MHCRC in developing a long range plan that realizes real public benefits through public policies, programs and capital investments that can be integrated into future cable franchise agreements.

Headline Issues: Capacity and system upgrades, PEG benefits, I-Net, the role of local government  

Timeline:

 

NEW AGREEMENTS!

Dec 31, 2011                         Existing Franchises Expire (under Franchise Extension)

 

Comcast and the Cities of Fairview, Gresham, Portland, Troutdale and Wood Village and Multnomah County have successfully negotiated renewed cable franchise agreements. These agreements (one for the City of Portland and the other applicable to the East County Cities and the County) become effective January 1, 2012 for a ten year term.

Final Portland - Comcast Renewal Franchise - covering all of Portland

Final East County - Comcast Renewal Franchise - applicable to the Cities of Fairview, Gresham, Troutdale and Wood Village and Multnomah County
Reading:
  • Once in the renewal window, federal cable law mandates that a performance review be done by local franchising authorities. The MHCRC contracted with MuniCom to conduct a review of Comcast's performance under existing franchise terms. Read the Final Report.
Viewing: Cable Franchise Public Benefits: A Decade of Community Investment
The Portland City Council requested that MHCRC staff, through the Office of Cable Communications and Franchise Management, present a report to Council to summarize and highlight the community technology benefits and investments that have been accomplished as a result of the dedicated resources available under the expiring cable franchise agreements, to present the views of staff and the community partners concerning the significance of these benefits for our community, and to acknowledge and thank Comcast for Comcast’s willing partnership and commitment to cooperation over the past decade, which has been an essential element in ensuring the benefits of these investments could be realized. The video file of the August 3 Portland City Council session is available here. The Prezi presentation is available here.

Other Involvement Opportunities
 
  • Get involved in Portland's Broadband Strategic Planning Process.
    Digital     Inclusion Now • Equitable access to our future!
    Help elected officials and community groups better understand our community's needs and interests by sharing your views, ideas and opinions about communications technology. Take the survey before Aug. 19 • more
    7.26 • City of Portland Council Work Session on the Broadband Strategic Plan
    Portland City Hall Council Chambers. more. Watch it Live.
  • Follow the Oregon Broadband Advisory Council (www.broadband-oregon.org) on their path to encourage coordination and collaboration between organizations and economic sectors to leverage the development and utilization of broadband for education, workforce development and telehealth, and to promote broadband utilization by citizens and communities.
  • Mix with social changemakers and technological forerunners at Net Tuesday events to mix, swap stories and ideas, build new relationships, and reinforce the online NetSquared (www.netsquared.org) community.
  • The City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability and partners are beginning a multi-phased project to update the 1988 Central City Plan. Central City 2035 (CC2035) will address the challenges and opportunities in the Central City and ensure that this vital economic, transportation, cultural and educational hub will be a vibrant resource for all Portlanders over the next 25 years. Check out the map on the project website, http://www.portlandonline.com/bps/cc2035.
 
 

 

events

Digital Inclusion Now • Equitable access to our future!
Help elected officials and community groups better understand our community's needs and interests by sharing your views, ideas and opinions about communications technology. Take the survey before Aug. 19 • more

Cable Franchise Public Benefits: A Decade of Community Investment

Connecting to Our Future: Portland's Broadband Strategic Plan
Video presentation: • Part 1 • Part 2
Cubconnects Check out the new consumer education project dedicated to educating Oregon consumers on the options available to them for home phone, mobile phone and internet services while providing information about telecommunications terminology, issues and events.

videofreepress — June 10, 2010 — Free Press and the Harry Potter Alliance collaborated on this video featuring a series of online celebrities and writers speaking about the importance of Net Neutrality. Take action to save the Internet now: http://www.savetheinternet.com

FCC Action Is First Step Toward Achieving Broadband Goals
June 16.2010 WASHINGTON – Tomorrow, the Federal Communications Commission will consider a Notice of Inquiry that will ask for public comment on the best legal framework for carrying out the agency’s National Broadband Plan to bring fast, open and affordable Internet access to all Americans.

Media Training Organizations
  Portland Community Media
  MetroEast Community Media
  NW Film Center
  Hollywood Theatre, Project Youth Doc
  North Portland Multi-Media Training Center
  NW Documentary

Computer/Internet Access
  Multnomah County Library
  Personal Telco - This group aims to help you find what you need in order to get connected to the community wireless network, or to participate in it.
  Free Wireless Internet (WiFi) Access Points in Portland