Politics & Government

Supervisors Ponder 2-Year Deal with OpenBand

Company not likely to accept terms proposed in amended franchise agreement.

While the board of supervisors voted Wednesday to ask OpenBand to consider changes to its franchise agreement with the county, the company said it probably would not commit to the new requirements.

“The company is not inclined to accept those provisions,” said Ben Young, an OpenBand spokesman. “They’re not fair.”

Among the new provisions considered during the Sept. 7 board meeting was Termination Clause that would allow the county to end the franchise if the company loses lawsuits filed by two communities, or the state Attorney General takes action against the company. Further, the county would agree not to terminate if OpenBand eliminates bulk-billing agreements and allows competitors to serve the same communities.

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“I think this is a very sensible agreement,” said Supervisor Stevens Miller (D-Dulles). “If OpenBand isn’t happy with it, that’s too bad.”

Young said OpenBand had previously agreed to changes proposed by the committee formed to recommend changes. The company also points to an independent review that equates the service quality of OpenBand to it's competitors.

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"We've conceded all requests of the county," he said. "We've negotiated for many months. We've made numerous concessions. No other cable company's been put through that type of review."

More on the board’s actions and OpenBand’s response tomorrow.


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