Case Study - Medium Size Market

Cable System Technical Audit

In 1999, we completed multiple cable system technical audits encompassing 9 different cable operators serving the unincorporated County and its municipalities, including, at that time, TCI™ and Falcon Cable™ as the largest (now Comcast™ and Radiate™ [after undergoing multiple transfers from Falcon™ to Charter™ to Wave Broadband™ to Radiate™]) to the smallest serving only 90 homes (a telephone cooperative also providing cable service). These technical audits, as many do, required an in-depth understanding of FCC rules, the cable industry as a whole, including small, medium and large-size operations, and the continually evolving cable TV, telecommunications and broadband marketplace and associated technology.

After establishing that baseline, CBG has continued to perform technical audits over the years on these systems as they have evolved, including migration from all analog to all digital, all coaxial to hybrid fiber coax (HFC) and fiber to the premises (FTTP) and from primarily downstream video services to a highly interactive environment. Audits now include testing in both the upstream and downstream directions, both at the end of distribution lines and through ever more sophisticated set-top units (STUs). At this time, CBG's testing includes optical performance, as well as a variety of tests related to QAM-based signals under FCC rules promulgated in the Fall of 2017. CBG's system technical audits have led to the cure of a multitude of outside plant code compliance violations, as well as multiple system upgrades in the nearly 20 years that we have performed services for Clackamas County. 

Cable Television Franchise Renewal & Community Needs Assessment

CBG has performed Needs Assessments related to franchise renewals affecting nearly every cable operator in the County, which has resulted in upgraded and enhanced Public, Educational and Governmental Access television opportunities; in-depth franchise customer service and technical standards; increased funding support for PEG Access; and a host of other franchise provisions beneficial to the County.

The Needs Assessments have included written and online surveys of the residential community and various organizational constituencies. They have also included site visits, facility tours, and facility and equipment age, condition, usage, capability evaluations, and analyses related to every PEG Access Channel provider in the county.

With the multiplicity of cable franchises serving the County, CBG continues to assist the County in a variety of cable franchise renewal-related activities as different systems enter the 36-month federally-stipulated renewal window.