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10 <br />BOCC <br />Page 2 <br />Febru.; -ry 24, 1992 <br />created or face significant cost increase for service. It is <br />easy to say we approve the buffer zone for two years but we <br />will be trapped into continuing the buffer zone into the next <br />franchise. This will effectively deny citizens in the buffer <br />zone full cable service for the next ten years. <br />There are two developments that promise full coverage for the <br />County and could in the long run reduce the cost of service; <br />wireless TV and satellite TV distribution. <br />Wireless TV systems are in existence now and could be brought <br />into our county but they are experiencing great difficulty <br />due to the monopolistic practices of the bigger Cable TV <br />operators. ATC is a part of a communications conglomerate <br />whose operations may restrict the availability of key <br />programs to new comers like wireless TV. <br />satellite TV distribution, like wireless TV, suffers from the <br />same control of programing-by the big Cable TV operators. <br />There is no technical reason that would delay the <br />introduction of satellite TV distribution in competition with <br />current cable TV operators. In fact ATC proposes to provide <br />service to the buffer zone through another company using <br />satellite distribution. While ATC will use satellite <br />distribution, those proposing a new satellite distribution <br />system to compete with current cable operators, are having <br />difficulty proceeding because they can not be assured of <br />having access to some of the most desirable programs. <br />It is difficult to forecast when a competitive satellite TV <br />distribution system will be available. Both Congress and the <br />FCC are currently considering ways to eliminate the <br />monopolistic practices that today help eliminate competition <br />and keep cost to the consumer high. Should this problem be <br />resolved in the next two years a competitive satellite TV <br />distribution system could be in operation in 1996 -1998. <br />Our problem is to be sure we do nothing that would delay the <br />introduction of competitive systems in Orange County. <br />Assisting ATC in the acquisition of the current system that <br />serves Orange County could have the effect of delaying the <br />introduction of any competing system. <br />