Manassas approves switch for BPL franchise

By Kipp Hanley

Published: July 21, 2008

The Manassas City Council approved a re-assignment of its broadband over power lines franchise agreement Monday.

Philadelphia-based GridPlex LLC will acquire the BPL network from Communication Technology, which Manassas has had an agreement with since 2004. BPL is a method of communication that involves sending and receiving radio signals over power lines to provide access to the Internet.

The city council held a public hearing on the issue before the vote Monday. No one spoke in favor or against the franchise assignment.

Utilities Director Mike Moon said the current $28.95 monthly charge for service could be lowered and there are plans to improve connection speeds with the new franchisee. The change in franchises also means a change in subscribers’ e-mail addresses for the approximate 800 customers using this technology.

No timetable for the change has been made yet, said Moon, but subscribers will be notified.

GridPlex and Manassas are also in negotiations concerning the company’s Smart Grid program, which would allow city residents to tap into cost-effective, conservation-encouraging technology. The program would allow individual residents to keep track of and control their consumption of water and electricity on a daily basis.

“We are in discussions with them using those services ... but we’re not near the point of making that final decision,” Moon said. “There are other options out there. That’s a $4- to $5-million project for us so we have to make sure it’s the right company, the right business plan for the city.”

Also on Monday, the city held a public hearing on a dance permit for Tommy’s Place, at 8910 Mathis Ave.

Their permit was due to expire this week. The hearing was closed with no public comment and city staff is recommending approval of the permit at next Monday’s council meeting.

The new security plan at the restaurant/nightclub has led to a significant drop in overall police incidents, said Manassas police captain Steve Bamford.

From June 2006 to June 2007, there were 18 assault, disorderly conduct, drunk in public, fight and narcotics violations compared with just seven in the last year, police said.