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County OKs Comcast, Millennium cable deal
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Related Topics: Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel County (Map, News) - Dwindling customers have forced Millennium Digital Media to leave its only operation in Maryland, and the County Council backs a deal that would transfer those customers to Comcast Cable.
“It is in the best interest of the county that this transfer goes through,” said Bill Ryan, director of the Information Technology Office, citing cable giant Comcast’s amenities and presence in the region.
Approval from the Federal Trade Commission is the final step for the transaction.
Millennium representative Kelvin Westbrook told the council this week that the company’s investments into upgrading the system did not yield more customers, as its base dropped from 56,000 to 38,000.
“Millennium could either go away slowly, or we could have this deal,” Westbrook said.
He said Millennium is leaving the county “in good hands” with Comcast. Several council members said they were thankful for Millennium’s quality service.
“The customer service provided by Millennium was outstanding,” said Councilman Daryl Jones, D-District 1. “I’ll hold you to your word that Comcast will continue that service.”
Comcast officials have refused to comment on the deal until the FTC approves it. It is unclear whether the rates will change, but both companies charge about the same for basic cable, according to the county.
If the FTC approves the deal, Comcast would gain new customers in northern Anne Arundel County. Comcast serves most of the county, though Comcast officials would not release their number of customers.
There was little concern about monopolies from the council, as Council Chairman Ronald Dillon Jr., R-District 3, said Verizon also provides cable service in the county.
Councilman Edward Reilly, R-District 7, pointed out to the Comcast officials at this week’s meeting that areas in southern Anne Arundel do not have any cable service.
jflanagan@baltimoreexaminer.com
