By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard

Warren County citizens will soon have another option for cable television access due to the approval of a franchise agreement with Ben Lomand Television (BLTV) by the Warren County Commission Monday night.

The agreement was presented by Commissioner Bill Zechman in the form of a resolution with a 15-page franchise agreement attached. The terms of the agreement, as approved by the Education Committee after a public meeting last week, is for a initial 15-year franchise term with a 15-year renewal option.

Just prior to the commission meeting, BLTV officials, including Ben Lomand CEO Levoy Knowles, held a reception for commissioners, media and the public to demonstrate the technology, which uses regular twisted-pair phone lines to bring the signal into the customer’s home. The advantage of this technology is that it will eventually allow everyone in the county with a phone line to utilize the service.

The system offers some other unique advantages, including one that will permit customers with caller ID to screen phone calls and list messages right on their TV screen. Commonly called “convergence,” this technology allows various appliances in the customer’s home to work together to share and process information.

“What we’re going to do is provide cable TV service over the existing telephone network. We’re going to provide state-of-the-art technology,” said Knowles. “We can provide all the channels you’re used to seeing, and we can provide you high-speed Internet and telephone service, all out of the same high-speed set-top box.”

Knowles says the company plans to provide the service county-wide.

“We’re committed to do whatever it takes to provide every resident of Warren County with this service,” he said. “We have to go to the other municipalities in the county to get permission like we have here, but it’s a proven technology. We’re already working with McMinnville in the city. We’ve got over 500 customers that are working today. We’re excited about the service.”

The service includes its own weather channel with a weather station installed locally.

“It’s going to be one-of-a-kind,” Knowles said. “It’s going to be cutting edge, and we’re going to be one of the first in the state to get it, and one of the first in the southeast.”

The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the resolution granting the franchise.

“This answers a need that we have had for decades,” Zechman said. “Obviously BLTV has made a statement that they’re committed to quality of service, and I think it will have a positive effect on the service of Charter, the incumbent, because they’ll have to work harder. They’ll have to watch their pricing closely, and I think it’s just a benefit for everybody in the community.”