Document text
Council decides to delay AFN plan Charter protests contract with Ashland network By JESSICA SMITH Though frustrated by what a city leader called "false promises" from Charter Communications, the Medford City Council agreed to delay a plan to connect City Hall to the Ashland Fiber Network. Charter representatives objected Thursday to a proposed ordinance that would allow AFN to install fiber lines to the downtown core. As part of the deal, the city would connect to AFN for high-speed Internet service and waive up to $80,000 in franchise fees charged for use of public rights of way. Ron Hren, Charter vice president, said the company could work out the same type of arrangement with the city. "Essentially, the ordinance grants a contract to Ashland. We look forward to bidding on that," Hren said. "We think we can do it better, faster and cheaper." But the city waited two years for Charter to follow through on its "false promises" and provide high-speed Internet access, said Councilman Ed Chun. Hren said the cable company will begin offering Internet access within weeks. For the past two years, he said, Charter has been building its system. The council voted 7-1 to move the ordinance to a study session. The meeting has yet to be scheduled, but Charter representatives are expected to present their plan then. They may have a hard sell. In addition to Chun, council members Bill Moore, John Michaels and Bob Strosser expressed displeasure with how long it has taken Charter to introduce high-speed Internet service. "Charter has dropped the ball here," Michaels said. Strosser said his vote against the AFN contract delay was intended to make a "statement" about his frustrations with Charter. "The only reason they are interested now is because they feel they're not the only game in town," he said. Under the proposed contract with AFN, city offices would access the Internet at speeds two to three times faster than current connections, said Tom Crane, Medford's interim information services manager. A direct link to AFN also would mean eliminating the city's contract with Jeffnet, an Internet service provider operated by Jefferson Public Radio at Southern Oregon University. The city currently pays Jeffnet about $350 per month for Internet services. Reach reporter Jessica Smith at 776-4481, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.