This continues my conversation with Dan Hewham Public Relations for Cox Communications.
During my conversation I questioned the size, placement, and number of Cox's pedestals in relation to Cable America's.
Cable companies use several types of pedestals, the most common in our area is the ''column'' and ''dog house''. A column style pedestal is also used by Qwest to provide phone connections. According to Dan the column style used by Cox will be ''slightly smaller'' than the ones now used by Cable America.
The dog house pedestal is about the same size as those now installed. Dan stated that residents with a Cable America ''dog house'' pedestal installed, would ''probably'' get a column style from Cox. He stated that it was his company's view that two of these larger pedestals might be a bit much for a resident to contend with and that they would probably get a column style installed. For the moment let's take Cox at their word and examine the facts.
Pedestals provide service to four residents, and every other pedestal must be of the larger dog house style which provides power to their equipment as well. Remember the 3 1/2 foot easement from the sidewalk? Depending upon the placement of Cable America's dog house, a Cox dog house pedestal might not fit within the 42'' easement, and if it would, it could be right on the easement line. Bottom line what does this all mean? Most likely if you have a column style installed by Cable America you will get a larger dog house style pedestal from Cox and visa versa. There is also a chance in SOME SITUATIONS, residents that have no pedestals presently would get one under Cox' upgrade.
We have asked Cox to supply us with as much information as they have about the rebuild. If you have read Dan's letter on our web page you can see that unless you ask them a direct question they will not supply you any additional information. Cox' stance appears to be that by keeping us in the dark and then ''surprising'' us after the fact we will be better served. I do applaud Cox Communications for contacting us in advance and agreeing to meet with us at our park on January 4th, but they won't tell you anything unless you ask them. We do know that we are amongst the first East Valley areas to get this upgrade rebuild. Personally I find it curious that they are coming into our area prior to Dobson Ranch. I know that Dobson Ranch has an active HOA, while we are active but unregistered.
As many of you know I am not affiliated with either Cable company, I am a neighbor, and use a satellite dish. This is a difficult issue to rally around. Roughly 50% of us do not have the cable easement on our side of the street and the half that do, many will still escape a pedestal of any type in their yard to landscape around. None of us wants to prevent our neighbors that use Cox as a cable provider from getting these additional services they have waited so long to receive. Just be aware of the easement issues and how quickly things can happen here with no input from you. If a restaurant at the corner wants to serve liquor on the premises, a huge sign is in place for 30 days and a public hearing is held. If a utility wants to do an upgrade in the easement in either your front or backyard, they contact the city for a permit and away they go without your knowledge or input. A little bird at Qwest has told me that they are reviewing upgrading their cable this summer down Guadalupe. Their service is presently at the 101 and Guadalupe and they see the activity going on in our area as well. If they offer their cable package in addition to the phone and DSL internet, where will their pedestals be?
During my conversation I questioned the size, placement, and number of Cox's pedestals in relation to Cable America's.
Cable companies use several types of pedestals, the most common in our area is the ''column'' and ''dog house''. A column style pedestal is also used by Qwest to provide phone connections. According to Dan the column style used by Cox will be ''slightly smaller'' than the ones now used by Cable America.
The dog house pedestal is about the same size as those now installed. Dan stated that residents with a Cable America ''dog house'' pedestal installed, would ''probably'' get a column style from Cox. He stated that it was his company's view that two of these larger pedestals might be a bit much for a resident to contend with and that they would probably get a column style installed. For the moment let's take Cox at their word and examine the facts.
Pedestals provide service to four residents, and every other pedestal must be of the larger dog house style which provides power to their equipment as well. Remember the 3 1/2 foot easement from the sidewalk? Depending upon the placement of Cable America's dog house, a Cox dog house pedestal might not fit within the 42'' easement, and if it would, it could be right on the easement line. Bottom line what does this all mean? Most likely if you have a column style installed by Cable America you will get a larger dog house style pedestal from Cox and visa versa. There is also a chance in SOME SITUATIONS, residents that have no pedestals presently would get one under Cox' upgrade.
We have asked Cox to supply us with as much information as they have about the rebuild. If you have read Dan's letter on our web page you can see that unless you ask them a direct question they will not supply you any additional information. Cox' stance appears to be that by keeping us in the dark and then ''surprising'' us after the fact we will be better served. I do applaud Cox Communications for contacting us in advance and agreeing to meet with us at our park on January 4th, but they won't tell you anything unless you ask them. We do know that we are amongst the first East Valley areas to get this upgrade rebuild. Personally I find it curious that they are coming into our area prior to Dobson Ranch. I know that Dobson Ranch has an active HOA, while we are active but unregistered.
As many of you know I am not affiliated with either Cable company, I am a neighbor, and use a satellite dish. This is a difficult issue to rally around. Roughly 50% of us do not have the cable easement on our side of the street and the half that do, many will still escape a pedestal of any type in their yard to landscape around. None of us wants to prevent our neighbors that use Cox as a cable provider from getting these additional services they have waited so long to receive. Just be aware of the easement issues and how quickly things can happen here with no input from you. If a restaurant at the corner wants to serve liquor on the premises, a huge sign is in place for 30 days and a public hearing is held. If a utility wants to do an upgrade in the easement in either your front or backyard, they contact the city for a permit and away they go without your knowledge or input. A little bird at Qwest has told me that they are reviewing upgrading their cable this summer down Guadalupe. Their service is presently at the 101 and Guadalupe and they see the activity going on in our area as well. If they offer their cable package in addition to the phone and DSL internet, where will their pedestals be?
