Hillsborough Township evaluates Comcast franchise agreement amid service complaints

The Hillsborough Township Committee meeting on March 25, 2025, focused primarily on the renewal of the franchise agreement for traditional cable services provided by Comcast. The discussion highlighted the financial implications of the franchise fee, which is set at 2% of the basic cable service revenue, amounting to approximately $2 million paid by residents. This fee generates a check for the township, which is accompanied by a detailed audit sheet outlining the revenue breakdown.

Committee members expressed concerns regarding the lack of competition in the cable service market, noting that Comcast is currently the sole provider in the area. If the township were to deny the renewal, residents would face a service disruption, as Comcast would appeal to the Board of Public Utilities for mediation. The company assured that service would continue during this process, emphasizing that any costs associated with the franchise would ultimately be passed on to customers.

Residents raised issues about service reliability, with complaints about frequent outages affecting various neighborhoods. Comcast representatives acknowledged these concerns and committed to investigating specific areas with ongoing issues. They promised to provide data on service performance and reliability to the township by early next week.

The meeting underscored the importance of maintaining cable services for residents while addressing the need for improved service quality and reliability. The committee plans to follow up on the data provided by Comcast to ensure that residents' concerns are adequately addressed.