Index Cable To Shut Down Television and Internet Service On Guemes Island
In a recent letter to subscribers, Index Cable announced that "we will be closing down the system, including the internet access, at the end of the year." Index operates the only cable system on Guemes Island with more than 200 subscribers.
Irene Varhaug, Index Cable owner, explained that the federal government requires all television be digital by February 2009 and that "there's no possible way we can afford to buy the digital equipment needed to convert... Our programming costs, the price of gas, insurance, utilities have all mushroomed over the last two years, and 200 subscribers just isn't enough to meet our expenses."
She has talked to Wave Cable and Comcast but "no one seems too interested."
Post
There will be a meeting on Sunday, October 12, at 3:00 at the Community Hall (not the Church, as previously announced) to meet with Irene and Matt from Index Cable to discuss the withdrawal of services and alternatives. One alternative to be discussed is for Islanders to form a cooperative to run the Internet services ourselves. We will have other information about services for both TV and Internet, but the focus will be on providing Internet services, since so many people depend on it for their businesses here on the Island.
Thank You, and I will be at the meeting