Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Council to vote Monday on proposed contract with second cable provider

The city of Spokane is close to having a second cable provider.

If the Spokane City Council approves a proposed contract with TDS Telecommunications on Monday, the Wisconsin-based company could start laying a new fiber network through the city later this year.

The company plans to offer more than 100 cable channels and high speed internet to residential and business customers in Spokane, giving television subscribers an alternative to Comcast.

The proposed 10-year agreement would require TDS to pay the city an annual franchise fee amounting to 5% of its gross revenue and a 6% utility tax. Less than 1% of the company’s Spokane revenue would be dedicated to funding the city’s government and education channels.

The deal is not exclusive, as the city also maintains a cable franchise with Comcast, which has long been the city’s only cable provider.

If the council approves the agreement on Monday, the city will negotiate a start date for construction with TDS. From there, the cable provider would have five years to offer its service to at least 70% of Spokane’s residences.

Although the company plans to offer internet service, its agreement with the city only applies to cable television, per federal regulations.