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CBG Communications, Inc. <br />CBG's Technical Report clearly states the need for the functionality of the HFC I -Net to <br />continue, and for the HFC I -Net to be able to provide HD PEG Access signal <br />transportation. However, the Report goes on to say that "the current HFC I -Net was <br />upgraded over 12 years ago. However, the amplifiers in use date back to the 1980's. <br />Some of these have been in operation for nearly 30 years. Replacement components <br />are no longer made and it is likely that used replacement parts are difficult - to obtain. <br />Therefore, we recommend that if this HFC I -Net is to be utilized going forward, these <br />amplifiers be replaced, rather than hoping that over the course of a renewed franchise <br />term of .< they will continue to operate successfully and replacement parts <br />will be available. CBG recommended that the current HFC I -Net be upgraded or that <br />other forms of signal transportation, that would fulfill the need, be implemented. <br />Comcast in its Proposal, however, merely states that: <br />'Comcast will provide transport of HD PEG programming over fiber where <br />Comcast owned fiber facilities and capacity exist. Comcast will provide transpo <br />Ill <br />for SD PEG programming over any platform or facility of Comcast's choosing . I <br />Comcast also indicates that it has no plans to upgrade either the fiber I -Net or the HFC <br />I -Net. These statements then do not address the technical needs identified and should <br />be seen as an insufficient response. <br />Use of The Institutional Networks is Non -Commercial <br />Comcast indicated in its Proposal that the I -Net is currently used for commercial <br />purposes. Comcast asserts that the City of Roseville sells I -Net services to other <br />entities in a commercial agreement with those entities. This is simply.not true. The City <br />of Roseville works with other cities throughout the Twin Cities area in a cost sharing <br />scenario. The agreement between these cities is for shared ' equipment and applications <br />and does not includ e selling access to the I -Net or I -Net services. The Comcast I -Net <br />is used at the discretion of each of the cities to interconnect the city with the shared <br />applications provided by the Metro I -Net. This allows sharing of manpower, applications <br />and equipment such as centralized servers. This also allows access to applications by <br />larger cities at reduced costs and it allows for smaller cities to have access to <br />applications that would not otherwise be cost effective for them. <br />1 Comcast Renewal Proposal, page 59 <br />0 <br />