Hello-

I have some important information for you to forward to your homeowner associations regarding Comcast cable TV rates in the Greenwood Point and South Cove neighborhoods.  When our neighborhoods were annexed by the City of Issaquah in March 2006, we also became part of the city's cable franchise, which entitles us to the same cable TV rates as the rest of the city -- which are considerably better than our current rates.  Comcast originally acknowledged this in mid 2006, but now they deny it.

I'm forwarding you two letters:  one that I've written for the community and another that I'm sending to Comcast today.  Copies of both letters are also being delivered to the Issaquah Cable Commission.  The Cable Commission has already reviewed a draft of my second letter, and they agree that our rates should have been changed, but they have not been able to convince Comcast.  I'm hoping that with some additional community feedback, pressure, etc, we can convince Comcast to do what's right.  I know the Cable Commission would also be interested to hear from more people.

The letters are stored as a PDF.  I'll also paste a copy of the first letter below.

Regards,

Jeff Parsons

Greenwood Point homeowner

(425) 373-5969

Greenwood Point and South Cove Pay Higher Cable TV Rates

There is some confusion regarding cable TV rates for Comcast customers in the areas annexed by the City of Issaquah in March 2006.  Comcast continues to charge those residents higher rates than other customers within city limits, and Comcast offers incomplete and contradictory explanations for the differences.

I’ve discussed this with the Issaquah Cable Commission, and they agree.  At both the October 2006 and January 2007 meetings of the Commission, they stated that homeowners in the annexed areas are entitled to the same rates as the rest of the city.

Even Comcast agreed -- at one point.  Last summer, Comcast sent a letter to residents in our neighborhoods (see attached letter dated August 11, 2006), stating in part that:

· Comcast had received notification that our area had been annexed into the City of Issaquah, acknowledging that in order to do business in our community, they are subject to the community’s cable franchise authority.

· Comcast would be updating customer accounts to “properly reflect the city/county area in which they live” within in 60-90 days, and that “service prices, fees and taxes will be adjusted to reflect appropriate calculations for the City of ISSAQUAH.”

However, to date, Greenwood Point/South Cove cable TV bills still list the franchise authority as “King County Office of Cable Communications.”  Comcast’s January 2007 Products and Services Price List describes our area as “King County South Cove (Issaquah), Sammamish.”  And we continue to be billed at King County rates, rather than City of Issaquah rates.  One exception to this are the franchise fees, which were finally brought in line with Issaquah’s fees in November 2006.  But despite the franchise fee change, Comcast refuses to change our franchise authority or the corresponding cable TV rates.

The difference in rates can be significant.  For example, Comcast’s top package (Basic Cable + Digital Platinum) cost a City of Issaquah customer $76.17 in Dec 2006, while a Greenwood Point customer paid $104.98 for the same service.  As of Jan 2007, Greenwood Point rates went up another $6.26; it’s not yet known what increases, if any, the rest of Issaquah experienced.

Attached is a letter that I’ve sent to Comcast, as well as the Issaquah Cable Commision.  I encourage anyone who is a Comcast cable TV subscriber to read it, and to contact Comcast and/or the Issaquah Cable Commission if you have questions about your rates.