High Speed Internet Just Not Available.

This has been an interesting learning situation.

It’s not about downloading movies or playing online games. The reason we’re trying to get Time Warner isn’t because we love TWC, it’s to get high speed internet.  Alese works from home, but is working online all the time.  We need dependable high speed internet access.

Here’s what I’ve learned thus far:

In Texas (I’m not sure about other states) the state is the organization that licenses cable service.  The local government has no say or influence over cable services.

Time Warner Cable (TWC) is the high speed internet provider on Mustang Island.  They have fiber running the length of the island.

The Construction Department of TWC has almost absolute say when it comes to building the infrastructure for their services.  It appears that their first response when asked to provide service in a new area on Mustang Island is to say “it’s not in our franchise.”  They supposedly have been told (via email) that is not an acceptable response, based on a recent conversation with the TWC Director of Governmental Relations in San Antonio. 

The Construction Department has said it would cost $5007 to run fiber the ~380 feet from the fiber running down the island, to our property.  Of course, they would need to bury the fiber, and they’d need to get permission from the City which, according to them would require engineering plans.  Interestingly the Developer has offered then his engineering plans, and we’ve gotten no response, which is what happens.

I was able to get our State Representative Todd Hunter’s office involved.  They contacted the Director of Governmental Relations.  He’s been getting the same story, and defends the Construction Department’s need to get the ROI on investment.  But, the Governmental Relations Director was told that as soon as a neighborhood has a number of houses they put in the infrastructure.  So, I asked what the magic number of houses was.  He said he had the same question, and so did Todd Hunter’s office.  The question was asked, but it’s been a week without a response.

In the meantime, I went online and got addresses for houses in four other Mustang Island developments that have been around for a while and have at least five houses.  I then went online to the TWC website and checked to see if I could get service there.  Guess what?  No service.  The one neighborhood where TWC service was available was a set of houses identified as condominium units. 

Last night, I spoke at the ISAC meeting.  That’s where I learned, from the Deputy City Manager that the city has no power over the cable franchises in the city.  This morning I reported my findings to Representative Hunter’s office.  They are going to explore what it would take to allow local control over this issue.

I don’t think we’ll be able to get high speed internet access in the next two months.  I’m going to now find a DSL provider, but it will not be easy, because thus far every website I have used to try to get service says out address is not in their service area.

ISAC has put the issue on the agenda for next month’s meeting.  Padre Island has issues with cable too, and they have two providers, but apparently there are problems with both.