By: Bryan Boggiano
A diverse array of internet and cable service providers can be found in Coral Springs, but a common myth is the city allows only two, Bluestream and AT&T.
Resident Sam Poulos is getting two different stories. Comcast, the parent company of Xfinity, told him the city’s restrictions do not let other internet and cable providers in. The city told him it’s because Comcast will not run the lines.
“I don’t want a song and dance from our leaders,” he wrote on Facebook, “I want to know the truth.”
Poulos isn’t the only resident with this concern. In November, Sandra Hernandez wrote, “I wish Comcast was allowed to service Coral Springs.”
There is also a Facebook group to end what some residents say is a monopoly on service providers. With 145 members, Blue Stream Sucks the old Advanced Cable Communications of Coral Springs, seeks to “elect a politician that will allow companies like Comcast to come and supply reliable service.”
Coral Springs spokesperson Lynne Martzall said Bluestream and AT&T have infrastructure built in the city; however, Comcast only has their infrastructure in the Corporate Park.
“We cannot surmise why residents hold a specific belief, but when a service provider indicates they are unable to service the area, a resident may be under the impression it is the fault of the city,” she said. “That is untrue.”
While the Xfinity services businesses and some homes in the city, there are homes located too far from the existing network, said Cynthia Arco with Comcast Florida Region.
“Our approach is to continue to review any potential service areas and look for ways to expand our network and bring Xfinity services to more people,” she said.
Data from broadbandnow.com shows residential properties in Coral Springs have at least three provider options available. Some neighborhoods have five options, including Brookside, Mariner’s Cove, The Isles, The Springs, and Cypress Run north of Lakeview Drive.
AT&T Internet, HughesNet, Viasat, and Bluestream are available to over 90 percent of residents. Xfinity has about 25 percent availability, while AT&T Fiber is about 30 percent, and Hotwire Communications just over one percent.
Martzall said the city has no franchise agreement with any cable provider. For any internet or cable company to operate in the city, they would need to apply for a permit through the building department. Upon approval, they would refer them to the engineering department. This would give residents more options for providers.
“The city recognizes the importance of expansive and reliable cable and internet access for residents and businesses,” she said. “We welcome service providers to submit permits and plans to develop their infrastructure in the city.”
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Author Profile
- Bryan has a degree in journalism from the University of Florida and earned his masters in geosciences from Florida International University, where he focused in atmospheric sciences. His interests include weather, entertainment, and municipal government.
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7 comments
Perhaps the terms and conditions required by the city of Coral Springs exceed the potential profit.
Too bad as the laws of capitalism would only benifit the residents (consumers) as more competition means better prices and/or service.
The worst senario for residents is one service provided with an agreement with the city to keep competition out (crony-capitalism) where the only people that win are the service provider and the crony friends in the city that approved the rules.
This is BS we only have one choice and is Blue
Stream, they have a really bad customer service and they don’t give any importance to any complaints, they’re always “working on something in your area” if this isn’t a monopoly I don’t know what it’s.
I don’t believe this one bit! I have been hearing the same ting for 11 years now, so you are telling me that they could not expand in 11 years? i have only at&t and blue stream (formally Advanced cable), no other options, comcast has been telling me they are not allowed in for 11 years and AT&T has been promising me fiber for 11 years and nothing.
When infrastructure for service was being developed, there was an agreenent with what we know now as blue stream. So for a company to come into an area after the agreement expired and bring equipment back in is not profitable enough.
We have virtually no choices when it comes to cable/internet. Something is just not right. It’s way past time for this to be corrected.
hopefully StarLink will be a real option in coral springs because at&t sucks and bluestream sucks
What this article doesnt explain is, that YES, there was an agreement with Blue Stream, but that agreement expired years ago. So, little too late to the development race for comcast to find it profitable.