Cable and Broadband Commission FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions 

Are there options other than Comcast/Xfinity for Cable TV services? 

No. There is no alternative for Cable TV services because no other provider is willing to serve the Portsmouth area. The City’s franchise agreement with Comcast is not exclusive. The City would welcome a Cable TV competitor. Streaming and satellite services (such as Dish Network) are also available.

Are there options other than Comcast/Xfinity for broadband internet service? 

Yes. Fidium Fiber (formerly Consolidated) is available in some portions of the City. Residents also have access to broadband internet through satellite services and cellular phone providers. To find out if Fidium Fiber is available at your residence, visit the company’s website [FidiumFiber.com]. The City cannot require Fidium Fiber to extend service to areas not presently served. 

Why is there no competitor to Comcast/Xfinity?

A competitor would have significant infrastructure costs – the utility poles may be in place, but there would be engineering work and the installation of new cables and other infrastructure above ground (and underground depending on location) which is costly. Competitors have thus far been unwilling to absorb that cost. The local regulatory burden to a competitor entering the Portsmouth market would be minimal. 

Does the City have the power to regulate rates, programming, or channel options as part of its franchise agreement with Comcast?

No. The City’s regulatory authority is limited under federal and state law. The City has some limited authority to require the distribution of its government channel and public access programming but as a general rule, rates, programming and channel options are not subject to regulation by municipalities. 

What if I have been unable to have my issue resolved through Comcast’s/Xfinity’s customer service portal?

The Commission is here to help you pursue issues by raising concerns to the next level with Comcast. You may send an email to the Cable and Internet Broadband Commission (via the link below) so that the staff liaison for the commission can follow-up.

 Contact the Cable and Internet Broadband Commission