I am expecting a call from a reporter at the Boston Globe sometime next week to interview area residents who have been denied cable wiring.

I, like bcarey, have none and fully expect not to in the near future. The latest in our small town was the some squeeky wheels got greased and a few streets were added. But this came only as a result of a public selectman's meeting where residents just about begged and pleaded with the rep. They followed up with a phone campaign, newspaper letters and swamped them in email. Oh, and the selectmen sent the contract to the town counsel, as they thought there might be a breach. TA DA! The truck was in their neighborhood on Tues. Just imagine if we had to do this for phone or electric. This all resulted in a meager 47 homes being added.

It is my feeling that the future is cable as far as telecommunications are concerned. My concern is only with the Internet/telecom aspect, TV is not even an issue. Why then are cable companies not required to provide service to all?

What upsets me most, is that this problem is here in our very wealthy town. A town heavily populated with executive from high tech companies! Rural America has an even more dismal access rate. The last stats I saw showed access to only about 60% of Americans, in rural areas it is substantially less.

Thanks for letting me vent. I would be interested in hearing what others members experience with cable access has been. Was it added easily, were you required to pay for the line to your house and how much?

I have asked for a survey for my entire street and each address (I've been sorted of drafted as neighborhood rep! :p ). I fully expect them to tell us that they will hook us up if we foot the bill. I can't wait to see what their outrageous answer is this time! I'll let you know when I have finished laughing!