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Central Point nears fast-Internet deal But probably not with Charter Communications, which has left several council members unhappy By BUFFY POLLOCK for the Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT - Broken promises, increasing prices and poor service from Charter Communications are reasons some City Council members favor a competitor's proposal to wire City Hall for the Internet. Members of the City Council met with Hunter Communications President Richard Ryan last week and may give the Central Point company the go-ahead next week to install fiber optics throughout the city. Under the proposal, Ryan said City Hall, some schools and businesses would be wired for high-speed Internet and data transmission services. Eventually, high-speed Internet and cable television service would be available throughout town. Ryan said he didn't want to over-reach by offering cable television on top of high-speed Internet service citywide from the start. "Until we can commit to meeting those deadlines we did not want to over-commit and let our potential client down," said Ryan. "There's been enough of that in the community." It can't happen fast enough, say council members David Gilmour and Dick Halley. "People are really not terribly satisfied with Charter," argued Gilmour, citing the cable company's increasing prices and undelivered promise to provide high-speed Internet service. Halley agreed. "Just from what I've experienced from Charter as a subscriber, I don't like it. It's too darned expensive for what you get out of it," he said. "I particularly like that it would link the city and schools." City Administrator Jim Bennett said Hunter approached the city because there was a need. "I think they heard we were unhappy," Bennett said. "We're certainly open to better pricing and services. The more competition, the better. "Being the only gig in town, they (Charter) pretty much charge whatever they want. Here we'd be able to help consumers in Central Point by providing some local competition that could be more responsive to the community." By Hunter's estimates, Central Point residents could expect an alternative to Charter's cable service within 11/2 to three years after the city enters an agreement. Charter Communications did not return phone calls Monday. Bennett said the City Council would review and possibly decide on a franchise agreement with Hunter at its next meeting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 29. Buffy Pollock is a free-lance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.