Caledonia Argus

Dentists, students volunteer to serve those in need; clinics part of innovative program

Posted: 11/6/03

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

Ace Communications has received permission from the Caledonia City Council to offer digital television service here in competition with Media Com, the current cable franchise.

Ace will offer its service under the name HBC-Ace Cable (Hiawatha Broadband Communications). David Freeman, Chief Operating Officer of Ace Communications, told the city council at its meeting of October 27 that ìPlans are to offer Caledonia residents an alternative to the present cable. We are ready to begin in a couple of weeks.î

Freeman explained that the cable signal is delivered over the phone lines at a wavelength that doesnít interfere with telephone communications. Because of the delivery method, only those who use Ace phone service will be able to subscribe to the Ace cable service. In addition to regular programming, Ace will also offer two public access channels to the city.

In a response from councilman John Klug, Freeman explained that ìdue to a number of factors,î it is not likely that the relationship between the city and Ace would result in the city being able to become part of the Ace Cooperative.

With Ace cable, one receiver will have the capability of delivering three separate TV stations simultaneously to three different television sets. For a limited time, Ace will offer the boxes free of charge to new subscribers. The cost of the service has been set at $40.95 per month, said Freeman.

The city is prohibited by law from offering one of the cable franchises a more favorable contract than the other, so contracts with both companies are very close.

A public hearing was required prior to the approval of the franchise agreement. That was held on October 13.

The city has accepted an offer from Tim Pattrin, Freeburg, who has volunteered his services to advise the city on cable television matters. Pattrin has been involved in the cable industry since the early 1970s, and for almost 15 years served on the Lake Minnetonka Communications Committee. He was employed for 18 years by the Wayzata school district as video communications coordinator, and worked as CATV advisor to the C`ity of Wayzata.

Ace will provide its service at no charge to the public schools, city hall, sheriffís office, fire station and police station.

Most of the city will have service available in the near future, with areas further from the city center having service available in 2004 and 2005.

Ace Digital TV currently has 164 channels available, including pay per view, movie and music channels. It has requested permission to broadcast local channels from La Crosse, Minneapolis, Rochester, Eau Claire and Chicago as well.

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