The City of New Orleans’ Cable Television Franchise was officially renewed by the City Council on December 15, 2011. The Council adopted Ordinance Calendar No. 28,740, authored by Councilmember Guidry, to grant a cable franchise to Cox Communications Louisiana to operate in Orleans Parish. Prior to the renewal Cox Communications had a non-exclusive franchise to operate in Orleans Parish, granted initially in the mid 1980s and renewed in 1995. The new ordinance renews Cox Communications Cable Franchise with the City from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2021.
The Council's Cable, Telecommunications and Technology Committee with the Council's advisors oversaw the 2011 cable franchise renewal process. Federal law governs the renewal of cable television franchises, and one step in the process involves citizen input. Federal law does not allow the City Council to set subscriber rates and so has no influence over a Cox subscriber’s bill. The operations of Cox Louisiana were reviewed to determine if the company has met its franchise obligations and was deemed in compliance of its franchise agreement.
After determining that Cox has met its obligations, the City Council negotiated a new franchise agreement with Cox. This negotiation took place in changed federal legal landscape which limited what the City could negotiate in the new franchise. The most significant of changes in this franchise agreement are: the term of the franchise; the change in support and in the number of channels for PEG Access; the requirements for hiring local workers and contracting with minority, women and veteran owned businesses; the new training related community fund, and consumer service standards.
The Council also passed Motion M-11-582 that authorized a compromise agreement be signed requiring that Cox, under its current cable franchise, pay an additional $98,000 in franchise fees to resolve technical and financial audit and community assessment findings. The compromise agreement also pays the City of New Orleans a sum equal to one half of its costs not to exceed $200,000 for the franchise auditing work performed by the Council's Cable, Telecommunications and Technology Advisors.
In April of 2011, the Council advertised for proposals from experienced firms to provide cable television service in Orleans Parish. Below is Cox's response to the proposal:
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can the Council help to reduce our cable rates?
No, those rates are controlled by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
- Who do I call when I have a problem with my service?
You should call (504) 304-8444, or use the Cox website for FAQs
- Where are the local service centers for Cox where I can pay my bill?
- Cox Retail Service Center - New Orleans
3131 Elysian Fields
New Orleans, LA 70122
Hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 6pm, Sat: 9am - 1pm
Drive-Up: Mon - Fri: 8am - 6pm, Sat: 9am - 1pm
Payment Method: Money Order, CC, Check
- Payment Center - Rouse's #26
4500 Tchoupitoulas St
New Orleans, LA 70115
Payment Method: Money Order, CC, Check
- Payment Center - Wal-Mart #5022 (New Orleans)
1901 Tchoupitoulas St
New Orleans, LA 70130
Payment Method: Cash
- Payment Center - Zara's
2042 Prytania St
New Orleans, LA 70130
Payment Method: CC, Check
- Payment Center - Unique grocery
127 Royal St
New Orleans, LA 70130
Payment Method: CC, Check
- Payment Center - Wagner's Chef
4301 Louisa St
New Orleans , LA 70126
Payment Method: CC, Check
- Payment Center - Schiro's Super Food Store
2483 Royal St
New Orleans, LA 70117
Payment Method: CC, Check
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