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Local volunteer steps in after Sky Communications falters; committee hears broadband update
Summary
Committee heard that Sky Communications left cable rights in cancellation; a local volunteer (Speaker 5) said they’ve begun work to restore and manage the hybrid fiber‑coax (HFC) network, while the state PSC and county franchise questions remain unresolved.
Committee members received an update on cable and broadband status, including franchise questions and an unresponsive private operator.
Speaker 5 said Sky Communications had been unresponsive and that they had taken over local cable-network work three weeks earlier. “If we build out on our plans… we'll be the best connected community in Washington State, period,” Speaker 5 said, expressing optimism about local progress on broadband coverage.
The group discussed that the Public Service Commission (PSC) and county staff are reviewing whether to remove cable strands and how that would affect community value. Speaker 5 described the network as an HFC (hybrid fiber coax) system and noted PSC concern that removing existing infrastructure could harm future broadband or small-cell cellular deployment opportunities.
Committee members asked for a written update and were advised to share recent email exchanges: Whatcom County real-estate staff (Andrew Hester) had communicated about franchise rights and an umbrella permit; committee members agreed to continue outreach to PSC and county staff and requested a formal status update to be circulated to members.
