Comcast To Go Before City Council For Once In 15 Years Hearing On Franchise Agreement
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Comcast's new 15-year franchise agreement with the city goes under the microscope in Philadelphia City Council Thursday afternoon. The city hopes to expand access and improve customer service as part of the deal.
Nutter administration negotiators and Comcast executives are scheduled to testify first, followed by panels of stakeholders, such as Hannah Sassaman of the media mobilizing project.
"This is literally a once-in-a-generation shot," says Sassaman. "We're not going to get another chance to negotiate this deal until my four-year-old daughter is 19."
Sassaman is looking for three upgrades in the agreement.
"To improve our customer service, expand affordable internet and make Comcast pay its fair share to our schools."
Comcast says, in an email, it will note it has hired 150 new technicians, is opening Xfinity "stores," is providing low-cost internet essentials to 70,000 Philadelphians and pays 100 million dollars in direct and indirect taxes to schools."
