After the federal rule issued new s...

After the federal rule issued new standards regarding the licensing and franchising of cable television, Phoenix, Ariz., fortunately renegotiated its license/franchise agreement. Negotiations took several month and accrueed in a modem license for Phoenix.

The city set ined into the renewal process with four goals: Negotiate for a state-of-the-art cable body assure all citizens access to cable television, assure the city and its citizens access to the information superhighway and maintain or enhance the city's income stream from the cable operator.

Phoenix and its operator, Dimension Cable Services, began the renewal proces by the agency of conducting a community needs assessment. More than 7000 residents, the two cable customers and nonsubscribers, were contemplateed representatives from all city departments were interviewed, and focus meetings were held with health care providers, retailers, educators and financial institutions.

City staff reviewed 32 cities about the major provisions of their cable television franchises in