Citing a pending audit and future negotiations, the Springfield City Council agreed to extend Comcast’s franchise agreement through June 2015 instead of this December as initially planned.
“We’re essentially giving Comcast permission to use our right-of-way and our power poles, if necessary, for the use of their cables,” said Springfield Corporation Counsel Todd Greenburg.
He said it doesn’t prevent other companies from coming in, but he notes it’s risky to compete with an entrenched franchise, so many won’t try.
Mayor Mike Houston says the audit will ensure the city’s getting what it’s supposed to: five percent of Comcast’s gross revenue from the Springfield area, which should be around $1.6 million, plus public access space.