Mediacom Dubuque Digital Upgrade 2012Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Mediacom's Digital Transition
DATE: June 25, 2012
Dubuque
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All-America City
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Cable TV Coordinator Craig Nowack is providing an update on Mediacom's continuing
transition away from analog signals towards all digital television in Dubuque.
Michael C. Van Milligen
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Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Craig Nowack, Cable TV Coordinator
Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO Michael C Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM Craig Nowack, Cable TV Coordinator
DATE June 18, 2012
S U BJ ECT Mediacom's Digital Transition
Dubuque
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INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide an update on tMtediacom's continuing transition away from
analog signals towards all digital television here in Dubuque
BACKGROUND
Federal law mandated the end of analog television broadcast signals in June 2009 but required pay -TV
prodders to continue providing analog signals for broadcast channels until June 2012 In December 2009,
Mediacom began its transition away from analog TV by moving a handful of channels to the digital -only tier
and re- assigning some analog channel numbers to make better use of existing bandwidth In December 2010,
Mediacom moved Dubuque's four public and educational access channels to the digital -only tier In August
2011, Mediacom announced it would be moving analog channels 23 - 78 to the digital -only tier sometime "in
the coming months" and offered free adapters that would allow older analog -only TV sets to display digital
signals
On Thursday, June 14, I met with Lee Grassley from Mediacom's regional headquarters in Cedar Rapids He
wanted to inform me about and enlist my help in publicizing Mediacom's next steps in the transition to all digital
television on their system in Dubuque This summer, Mediacom wil move channels 23 - 78 to the digital -only
tier On August 14, ten channels wil go digital only A week later, on August 21, the remainder of those
channels wIl go digital only Then, on August 28, Mediacom plans to add approximately 40 new high definition
(HD) channels Mr Grassleytold me that currently Mediacom wIl continue to provide analog signals for
channels 2 - 22 He said there are no plans to move those channels to the digital -only tier
Only those households with older, analog -only televisions wIl be affected by moving channels 23 -78 to the
digital -only tier Mediacom will provide up to three free digital adapters per household for one year Additional
adapters will cost $ 99 per month each, and after the free year is up, all adapters wIl cost $ 99 per month
each
I plan on producing a video to nun on CityChannel Dubuque, the City's web site, and our other local access
channels to inform local cable subscnbers about the upcoming changes Mr Grassley provided a booklet
about the changes to the Dubuque system and I am enclosing copies of this for you and the City Council
RECOMMENDATION
This memorandum is for informational purposes only, no action is required at this time I will continue to keep
you updated on changes to cable service in Dubuque
Prepared by
Craig Nowack
cc
Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Maureen Quann, Assistant City Attorney
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MEDIACOM ALL DIGITAL UPGRADE
Project Overview: Dubuque 2012
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Mediacom has continually invested in the newest
technologies to increase the capacity and capabilities
of its fiber -based communications network.
Now, the next step moves analog customers into the
digital age, delivering an all - digital channel lineup to all
Mediacom Family Cable subscribers.
Many communities view Mediacom's extensive
upgrades as positive economic development tools to
attract residents, employers and businesses.
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10 years ago,
cable service delivered mostly cable TV
programs and channels and a little bit of
Internet.
Today,
Mediacom delivers the following services:
• Digital, HDTV
• Digital Video Recorders (DVR)
• Video On Demand
• Broadband High Speed Internet
• Internet Video and Rich Social Media
• Voice, Video Chat, and Global Phone
Services
Now, everything talks to the Internet
The new smart phones and devices
use our broadband connections at your
home and business and consume bandwidth.
Gaming consoles need Internet
connections and consume bandwidth.
Even new TVs
connect to the Internet
over our High Speed Internet
and consume bandwidth.
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All Digital Example: More Choice
Content over the same cable is now delivered in
multiple flavors.
Television programming arrives over Mediacom Cable TV service AND
Mediacom High Speed Internet services.
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Can be watched via Digital Cable Television
Is viewed via HD Digital Cable Television
Is listened to via Audio Streaming High Speed Internet
Watch Games over High Speed Internet
More digital toys on the way
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All Digital Example:
People Want More High Def
Consumers and businesses are demanding more HDTV Content
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Mediacom is answering market and consumer demands in Dubuque and surrounding towns
by delivering these and many other of viewer's favorite HD channels via our 100% Digital
Cable service.
This upgrade has been underway. since 2008
2008: Mediacom performs initial major upgrade of its Eastern Iowa infrastructure
• Simultaneous delivery of analog signals to customers without digital TV receivers
(digital simulcast).
• Customers using Mediacom Digital Cable or digital -ready televisions began seeing
better picture quality and expanded lineups.
2009: Digital Transition for local TV broadcasts
• US Government mandated that all terrestrial television stations eliminate broadcasts
in the analog bandwidth and move to an entirely digital spectrum.
• Mediacom supports its non - digital customers by converting broadcasters' digital
signals back to analog for reception on older, non - digital TVs.
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This upgrade has been underway since 2008
2010 -2012: Mediacom expands and further upgrades its Eastern Iowa infrastructure
• Extended delivery of an All Digital lineup to customers in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City,
Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Fairfield and surrounding areas
• Addition of HDTV channels to these areas. Cedar Rapids /Iowa City & Cedar Falls/
Waterloo areas now have more than 100 HD channels. The Fairfield area will soon
have more than 100 HD channels
2012 : Mediacom expands and further upgrades its Northern Iowa infrastructure
• Extended delivery of 100% Digital lineup to customers in Dubuque and surrounding
communities
• Significantly increasing HD channels to Dubuque and surrounding communities
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All Digital -Right Now
This phase of the All Digital expansion delivers a 100% digital upgrade to our customers in
your community
• This next phase delivers an All Digital Family cable channel set currently on channels
23 -78
• Increases the number of HD channels, adds additional standard definition channels,
adds 3DTV capabilities
• Enhances service offerings which already deliver some of the fastest Internet
connection speeds in the country
Up to 50 Mbps downloads and 5 Mbps uploads
• Popular expanded digital services
— HD Video On Demand and HD Pay Per View
• Better picture
• Enhanced audio fidelity
• Improved system reliability
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What do customers need to do?
Before August 2012
• Older TVs (manufactured before March 2007) that do not have a built -in digital
tuner or a Mediacom Digital Receiver will need a Digital Adapter to receive the
new digital lineup.
• Digital Adapters can be picked up, or ordered from Mediacom. Mediacom will
provide you with up to 3 Digital Adapters at no cost through June 30, 2013.
Beginning July 1, 2013, a fee of $0.99 per Digital Adapter will be added to your
bill
• Consumers interested in upgraded services to receive additional channels and
extras such as Video On Demand, Pay Per View, the navigation guide, and HD
channels may discuss these options with a Mediacom representative.
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Communities Enhanced by 2012 Digital Transition
Asbury
Dubuque
Dubuque (UO Asbury)
Dubuque County
Dyersville
Epworth
Farley
Peosta
Sageville
Iowa
Iowa
Iowa
Iowa
Iowa
Iowa
Iowa
Iowa
Iowa
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
52002
52001, 52002, 52003
52002
52001
52040
52045
52046
52068
52001
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Communities Enhanced by 2012 Digital Transition
East Dubuque
Galena
Galena Territories
Grant (UO East
Dubuque)
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Illinois
Illinois
Illinois
Illinois
Illinois
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Jo Daviess 61036
Jo Daviess 61036
Grant 61025
Jo Daviess 61025
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What effect does the change have on customers?
Before August 2012
Mediacom will provide customers with up to three Digital Adapters at no
cost through June 30, 2013.
Beginning July 1, 2013, a modest monthly fee of $0.99 per adapter will be
added to customer bills.
For customers adding four or more digital adapters, the fourth and any
additional Digital Adapter will each have a modest $0.99 /adapter monthly
charge . This includes existing and new customers throughout the project
period. After the upgrade project is completed in your area, any Digital
Adapter added to an account will have a modest $0.99 monthly charge.
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What effect does the change have on customers?
Before August 2012
Mediacom has been simulcasting analog and digital programming. Beginning
August of 2012, Mediacom will begin reducing some simulcast analog
channels.
Consumers will need a Digital Adapter to continue seeing programming
currently broadcast on channels 23 -78. These are currently delivered
through an analog signal and will move to a digital signal.
This includes digital subscribers
with an analog TV connected directly
to a cable without a box.
Digital Adapter
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What do customers need to know?
Before August 2012
NEWER HDTV benefits
Less impact to customers using Digital Cable or newer digital -ready TVs
• Customers using digital cable service or newer televisions with built -in
digital tuners (known as QAM) are digital- ready.
• Those customers will not need additional equipment but will need to
re -scan or re- program remote control devices to include new channel
additions.
• Many of Mediacom's customers currently subscribe to digital cable to
use interactive features or to access HD or other channel sets beyond
a Family Cable subscription.
• Many of those customers continue to use analog televisions in
secondary locations throughout their homes or offices.
• Digital adapters will allow digital signals to display on those older
televisions.
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Who is affected?
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• Over 65% of Mediacom's customers already use our digital cable
services via some form of a Digital Cable Box (DCT).
• Of the remaining 35 %, many have at least one digital ready TV with
built -in digital tuners. These TVs do not need a Digital Adapter to
receive the All Digital Family Cable service.
• Analog TVs not connected to a Mediacom Receiver will need a
Mediacom Digital Adapter.
Likely scenarios where a Digital Adapter is needed to convert digital
channels back to analog:
• Broadcast Basic Subscriber (Digital Adapter expands lineup to include
14 additional channels)
• Family Cable subscriber with cable connected to an older non - digital
ready or Analog TVs. (Digital Adapter converts signals back to analog
for channels 23 -78)
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What next?
Mediacom representatives will discuss pick -up or
shipment of Digital Adapters.
Digital Adapter
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When will this happen?
Mediacom and your municipality are currently working
to provide you with the appropriate digital interface for
your TV.
Now June 2012 July 2012 August 2012
Now - August 2012
Mediacom, municipal presentations and
open houses will be held to distribute
Digital Adapters. Adapters can also be
picked up at Mediacom offices.
Begin shut off
of analog channels
23 -78 to convert them
to digital channels.
Customers will need
to have some form of
a Digital Adapter
installed.
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Why now?
As HD equipment costs fall, consumers are rapidly investing in HD
entertainment systems across all demographics and demanding more HD
programming.
• Digital looks better, sounds better and takes up less bandwidth than
analog
• One analog channel can be replaced by 10 digital channels or 3 HDTV
channels enabling Mediacom to deliver popular HD programming and
greatly increased Internet speeds.
Consumers are also investing in more advanced computer and gaming systems
for home and work.
Consumers are increasingly using more bandwidth intensive social media,
entertainment and communication applications like YouTube, Facebook, and
Skype.
Collectively, all of the above digital offerings are very "hungry" and inhale digital
bandwidth. Mediacom is delivering this bandwidth.
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All Digital and Local Broadcasters
The Mediacom All Digital Transition incorporates, but is different than the FCC Digital
Transition. The FCC Transition to Digital TV offers a more efficient use of broadcast
spectrum.
Also gives local broadcast stations the ability to deliver multi -cast channels — more
programming to local viewers.
For example, local broadcast stations are delivering alternative programming on their
additional digital channels:
• KGAN carries CooITV
• KWWL carries RetroTV and ThisTV
• KCRG carries KCRG -DT
• IPTV /KIIN carries PBS Learns and PBS World
In total, six new channels area available from local TV stations as a result of the Digital
Transition.
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Overview of available Mediacom services
Mediacom now offers the most advanced services in Iowa
Cable Services
• Digital Cable Television
• High Definition Cable Television
• Video on Demand
• Digital Video Recorder
• High Definition Premium and Movie Channel
Advanced Internet Services
• High Speed Internet Services
-Many communities in Iowa have speeds up to 50 Mbps
Phone Services
• Unlimited calling to US, Canada, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands
• Advanced Calling features
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Glossary of terms
DTA: Digital Transport Adapter /Digital Tuner. Referred to as a Digital Adapter. Device issued by
Mediacom to receive channels after digital upgrade
DCT: Digital Cable Terminal. Device that allows customers to receive all digital channels beyond Basic
& Family Tiers. Also provides customer with Channel Guide, Video On Demand, Pay Per View & Music
channels
HD DCT: High Definition Digital Cable Terminal. Device that allows customers to receive all digital
channels beyond Basic & Family Tiers including High Definition Broadcast Basic channels. Also
provides customer with Channel Guide, Video On Demand, Pay Per View & Music channels
ATSC: Advanced Televisions Systems Committee. Tuner that allows reception of Digital Television
(DTV) signals broadcast over the air
QAM: Quadtrature Amplitude Modulation. Device installed on newer TVs to receive digital cable
channels through the cable
BB: Broadcast Basic. Channels 2 -22
DBB: Digital Broadcast Basic. Channels 87 -123
HD: High Definition
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For more information, or to pick-up Digital Adapters
Local Office:
3033 Asbury Rd
Dubuque, IA 52004
Phone Number:
855 - 230 -2225
Website:
www .MediacomCable.com /GetDigital
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