Continental Cablevision Receives Approval to Offer Local Telephone Service

Strategic Insights -

Continental Cablevision, California's second-largest cable-television operator, has received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission to offer local telephone service in 10 California counties. The company plans to begin testing telephone services in Southern California starting in the third quarter of 1996, with a statewide rollout scheduled for 1997. This move marks a significant expansion of Continental's services, which will enable customers to choose between the company's local telephone service and traditional phone providers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Continental Cablevision has received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission to offer local telephone service in 10 California counties.
  • The counties include Fresno, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Orange, Riverside, San Joaquin, Sutter, Tulare, and Yuba, with a combined population of 14 million residents.
  • Continental plans to begin testing telephone services in Southern California in the third quarter of 1996, with a statewide rollout planned for 1997.
  • The company will use AT&T Network System's 5ESS-2000 switch to route voice traffic over its 14,700 miles of telecommunications networks.
  • Continental will use Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) digital transmission technology with broadband optical transmission equipment in a dual ring architecture to provide advanced voice, video, and data services.
  • The company's broadband networks will be capable of supporting switched voice services, as well as new video and data services.
  • Continental Cablevision serves more than 4.1 million customers in 20 states and is a part owner of joint ventures providing network services in Argentina, Australia, and Singapore.
  • In the West, Continental serves 900,000 customers and passes 2 million homes and businesses.

Statistics:

  • 14 million: The combined population of the 10 California counties where Continental will offer local telephone service.
  • 10 counties: Areas where Continental has received approval to offer local telephone service.
  • 3Q 1996: The quarter when Continental plans to begin testing telephone services in Southern California.
  • 1997: The year when Continental plans to roll out its local telephone service statewide.
  • 14,700 miles: The length of Continental's telecommunications networks.
  • 5ESS-2000: The switch selected by Continental to route voice traffic over its networks.
  • 4.1 million: The number of customers served by Continental Cablevision in 20 states.
  • 2 million: The number of homes and businesses passed by Continental in the West.
  • 20 states: The number of states where Continental serves customers.
  • 3 states: The number of countries where Continental is a part owner of joint ventures providing network services (Argentina, Australia, and Singapore).
  • 900,000: The number of customers served by Continental in the West.

Sources:

  • "Continental Cablevision Receives Approval to Offer Local Telephone Service in California" (Business Wire, December 20, 1995)
  • "Continental Cablevision to Expand Services in California" (Business Wire, December 20, 1995)