Cable Services in Odd Fellows Sierra Park and Tuolumne County - An overview:
On July, 25, 1972, VuRite entered into an agreement with The County of Tuolumne to provide cable services to portions of Tuolumne county.
On September, 20, 1977, VuRite's agreement was amended to add additional territory to it's service area.
On September, 30, 1980 The County of Tuolumne approved the transfer of VuRite's to agreement Meyerhoff Cable Systems Inc. (Rich Meyerhoff).
On April 29, 1982 Meyerhoff Cable Systems Inc. states it's intent to build a cable system in Odd Fellows Sierra Park.
On January 24, 1984 Meyerhoff Cable Systems Inc. receives approval from The County of Tuolumne to extend it's service area to include Long Barn and Sierra Village and extended the term of it's agreement to July 24, 2002.
In 2003 Meyerhoff Cable Systems Inc. transferred to Sierra Nevada Communications (Tim Holden).
On December 7, 2004 The County of Tuolumne executed a Non-Exclusive Franchise Agreement with Sierra Nevada Communications to provide cable services to portions of Tuolumne County.
In 2004 Sierra Nevada Communications stated it's intent to deliver Internet by upgrading it's existing cable plant to bi-directional operation and employing DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) technology.
Sometime around 2006 Sierra Nevada Communications purchased the Groveland Cable System.
On February 8, 2007 The County of Tuolumne executed a Non-Exclusive Franchise Agreement with Comcast to provide cable services to Tuolumne County.
In 2007 Sierra Nevada Communications restated it's intent to deliver Internet, but this time by replacing it's existing cable plant with Fiber-to-the-Home system delivering 3 Mbps shared service.
10/16/2010 - The OFSRA Board of Directors elected to pursue Sierra Nevada Communications cable services over Comcast cable services.
Sierra Nevada Communications and County of Tuolumne - Highlights
Sierra Nevada Communications' Franchise Agreement is non-exclusive.
Sierra Nevada Communications' Franchise Fee to Tuolumne County: 2.0% of Gross Revenues paid Quarterly.
Sierra Nevada Communications' Franchised Service Area: Pinecrest, Strawberry, Cold Springs, Long Barn, Sierra Village, Groveland, and a portion of Columbia.
Sierra Nevada Communications Services: Pinecrest, Strawberry, Cold Springs, Long Barn, Groveland, and a portion of Columbia.
Sierra Nevada Communications Pros: Lower Cost - $29.95 per month (Basic Service).
Sierra Nevada Communications Cons: Few Channels, Marginal Reliability.
Sierra Nevada Communications Proposed Internet Service: Two Boded T1 circuits yielding 3.0 Mbps total shared between all customers in Groveland, Long Barn, and Sierra Park.
Sierra Nevada Communications Cable Internet Experience: Groveland 3 Mbps Download / 3 Mbps Upload shared between all customers
Comcast and County of Tuolumne - Highlights
Comcast's Franchise Agreement is non-exclusive and revocable.
Comcast's Franchise Fee to Tuolumne County: 5.0% of Gross Revenues paid Annually.
Comcast's Service Area is not defined in any current document, but generally covers Tuolumne County.
Comcast has a seperate Franchise Agreement with the City of Sonora.
Comcast's Franchise Agreements with the County of Tuolumne and the City of Sonora were negotiated simultaneously and contain similar language.
Comcast's Franchise Agreement with the County of Tuolumne is loosely tied to the Franchise Agreement with the City of Sonora.
Comcast Services: Jamestown, Soulsbyvile, Tuolumne City, Twain Harte, Confidence, Sugar Pine, Mi Wuk Village, and Sierra Village.
Comcast Pros: Many Channels, High Reliability.
Comcast Cons: Higher Cost - $45.00 per month (Basic Service).
6/2010 - Proposed Internet Service: A fiber feed system yielding typical download speed of 25 Mbpss to each customer.
12/2012 - Upgraded to a fiber feed system yielding available speeds of 100 Mbps Download / 10 Mbps Upload for each customer. The system was expanded to most areas not previously covered up to and including Sierra Village.
Comcast and City of Sonora - Highlights
Comcast's Franchise Agreement is non-exclusive and revocable.
Comcast's Franchise Fee to City of Sonora: 3.0% of Gross Revenues paid Annually.
Comcast's Service Area is not defined in any current document, but generally covers Sonora.
Comcast has a seperate Franchise Agreement with the County of Tuolumne.
Comcast's Franchise Agreements with the City of Sonora and the County of Tuolumne were negotiated simultaneously and contain similar language.
Comcast's Franchise Agreement with the City of Sonora is loosely tied to the Franchise Agreement with the County of Tuolumne.
Comcast Services: Sonora.
6/2010 - Proposed Internet Service: A fiber feed system yielding typical download speed of 25 Mbpss to each customer.
12/2012 - Upgraded to a fiber feed system yielding available speeds of 100 Mbps Download / 10 Mbps Upload for each customer. The system was expanded to most areas not previously covered.
Comcast and County of Calaveras - Highlights
Comcast's Franchise Fee to Calaveras County: 5.0%.
Comcast has a seperate Agreement with the City of Angels Camp.
Comcast Services: Calaveras County.
Comcast Cable Internet Experience: Much of Calaveras County. Examples: Arnold 100 Mbps Download / 10 Mbps Upload each customer, Douglas Flat 16 Mbps Download / 3 Mbps Upload each customer.
Comcast and City of Angels Camp - Highlights
Comcast's Franchise Fee to City of Angels Camp: 5.0% of Gross Revenues paid Annually.
Comcast has a seperate Agreement with the County of Calaveras.
Comcast Services: Angels Camp.
Sierra Nevada Communications and Odd Fellows Sierra Park
Website created and managed by Charles Varvayanis
To submit comments or contribute material contact:
Charles Varvayanis
P.O. Box 395, Long Barn, CA 95335-0395
E-Mail: charles@varvayanis.com
Phone: (209) 586-3782
Fax: (209) 586-3761
