Why Does Anyone Run Cable Systems in Small Markets These Days?

Cable World, July 11, 2005

Tykeson breaks down small systems into two categories: "those that have made the investment in infrastructure, talent and community relations to fight the competitive battle and win the hearts and minds of customers, and those who have not."

She applauds recent moves by Cox, Cablevision and Insight to go private. BendBroadband benefits from operating that way, so that decisions and strategy are positioned for the long-term health of the company, she says. "By moving away from the care and feeding of Wall Street analysts, [Cox, Insight and Cablevision's] talented executives [will be able] to focus on what matters-- attracting and keeping customers."

For small or large operators alike, the opportunities are the same, Tykeson says. "It's a matter of scale, resources, focus and priorities. For us, we're making a difference in these smaller communities, providing best-of-breed connectivity solutions in a more rural setting." --Simon Applebaum

Bill Bresnan

president and CEO

Bresnan Communications

Bresnan Communications operates in small markets "because people live in these markets, and they want the same services that everyone else has," says Bill Bresnan. "And they are willing to pay for them."

All of the company's systems have upgraded their channel capacity, and provide their customers with the same advanced services available at larger systems, including VoIP telephony. "Given today's technology, this is economically doable except in the smallest of markets," Bresnan says.

It takes a hands-on approach and a lot of care and attention to operate small systems successfully, he adds. "Many large-market MSOs, understandably, can't always take the time to deal with these smaller markets because they have larger challenges and larger opportunities. We are filling an important need and have been doing so for 20 years." --Simon Applebaum

[Copyright 2005 Access Intelligence, LLC. All rights reserved.]