SEATTLE — The city could soon see more -- and cheaper cable options. Monday, the Seattle City Council passed rules to expand competition and improve customer service.
“I’ve had TVs that black out that won’t get services,” said Queen Anne resident Tamara Zundel. Zundel has Comcast, one of two companies operating in Seattle. Wave Cable is the other.
Zundel pays about $240 a month for cable service and has had cable repair operators to her house at least six times in the past few years for problems with her service.
“I’m hoping there will be more opportunities for competition, and I can get better service,” Zundel said.
Under Seattle’s old cable company rules, a new company in Seattle would have to be able to provide service to 20 percent of the city within a few years. City leaders said that setup cost with no-profit guarantee, made expanding a cable company to Seattle too difficult.
Under the new rules, a cable company can expand more slowly, as long as low income users are given access to the new provider. The new rules also make it mandatory that cable companies reduce customer service hold times.
KIRO
