Officials from one of the state's largest cable-television companies say they're making service upgrades that could put them on the forefront of communications systems.
TCI Cablevision of Utah has begun switching Provo-area customers to a new fiber-cable system that will provide more channels, greater system dependability and the highest quality picture available in the industry today, according to the company's local general manager.The switch, which began in April, is scheduled to continue into next spring, Paul Venturella said. In addition, the $5 million system improvements will not necessitate any rate increases.
However, because of upgrades, the company will have to make cable installations in some neighborhood yards, though others will be installed along phone lines. Venturella said that customers should also expect a few minor interruptions of service.
In addition to the quality picture, the fiber-optic cable could provide cable subscribers with their first taste of high-definition television and Near Video On Demand - a system that allows subscribers to select from thousands of movies and then have that movie shown in their home within a few moments, said Susan Hawks, the company's local marketing manager.
Also, Hawks said TCI officials are contemplating adding more channels to the Provo subscriber system, including pay-per-view channels.
But cable subscribers may not be the only ones to benefit. Venturella said that fiber optics will allow TCI to offer customers their own personal communication networks - much like cellular phone systems, except with fiber optic transmission lines.
TCI Cablevision serves more than 13,000 customers throughout Utah County, including Provo, Spanish Fork, Salem, Elk Ridge and Payson. Company officials currently have no plans to add the fiber optic lines to other Utah County service areas this year.