Document text
Falcon Cable nears truce with Ashland ASHLAND -- Falcon Cable may be allowed to resume its fiber-optic upgrade on city utility poles by the end of this week. City officials expect to lift a cease-and-desist order they issued Jan. 7 by Friday -- if not sooner -- after they review Falcon's plans. "We are doing this absolutely as quickly as possible," said City Administrator Mike Freeman. The city issued the order because Falcon had not submitted a telecommunications permit and detailed plans that have long been required for such work, Freeman said. Falcon officials argued that the upgrade fell under the company's franchise agreement and didn't require the $250 permit or plans to be filed. "What we were doing was nothing different than what we've done for the last five years," Ron Hren, Falcon's division vice president, said Friday. Falcon did turn in both the permit and the plans on Wednesday. "I want to just get it resolved," Hren said. "We're very pleased to be able to get back to work." Freeman said reviewing the plans is a top priority but could still take the electric department all week. "If we can do it any quicker we will," he said. "It's several hundred pages. It's a lot to review." The plans cover loading weights on the poles, where equipment will be placed and other basic physical elements of the upgrade. The cease-and-detest order won't be lifted until city officials are convinced the plans comply with city and state safety codes. "This is a safety issue," Freeman said. US West is a joint owner of the utility poles and must also sign off on the plans. Gary Miller, US West's regional manager, said his company should also finish its review by the end of the week. "Everything seems to be on track," Miller said. Falcon, Ashland's only cable provider, questioned the timing of the order, claiming it was intended to hinder the company. The city has plans to offer competing cable service and the two are both planning to offer Internet access in the city as well. Falcon plans to launch cable-based Internet access in the coming months around the Rogue Valley, including in Ashland. The cease-and-desist order, which will likely span three weeks, may slow the service's arrival in Ashland. "It just delays that," Hren said. The city and Falcon still have other issues to resolve about the cable company's plans. Specifically, Falcon is reviewing Ashland's telecommunications ordinance and how it may affect the services Falcon wants to offer. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA