SHALLOTTE, NC — Allen Russ, General Manager/CEO of ATMC, has announced that ATMC will convert its cable TV system from analog to all-digital cable technology by the end of 2010. By converting to all-digital, ATMC will be able to offer customers a potential lineup of over 150 High Definition (HD) networks, HD Video On Demand and a next-generation cable modem service with high speed Internet speeds up to five times faster than its current broadband offerings.
“The world is changing from analog to digital. Computers and wireless phones now rely exclusively on digital technology. The music we listen to and even the books we read are available on a variety of portable digital devices,” said Allen Russ. “In fact, every new TV now sold in the US must be digital. Digital cable is the future of television and going all-digital will allow us to offer the enhanced services our customers are demanding.”
Simply put, going ‘all-digital’ means that ATMC will no longer transmit analog cable TV signals. Today, ATMC delivers channels in the Basic and Expanded packages in both analog and digital formats enabling customers with analog TVs to view programming without a digital cable box. ATMC must then duplicate these channels to offer them in the more efficient digital format. Providing these channels in both formats uses a great deal of bandwidth, which is a cable TV system’s capacity to carry channels and offer services. The 62 analog channels ATMC provides take up a hefty 2/3 of the available bandwidth in the ATMC cable TV system.
The conversion process to all-digital will begin in May with completion scheduled for the end of 2010. By this time, every TV in homes served by ATMC Cable TV must be connected to a digital device. Over 73% of ATMC cable customers already have at least one digital cable box in their homes. These homes will need to add additional digital devices to TVs that do not already have one. Homes without any digital device must have them installed in order to continue to receive cable TV service. ATMC will be providing two digital devices per home at no extra charge for as long as a customer has cable service. The type of the device provided will vary depending on their cable package. Additional digital devices will be available for as little as $1.50 per month. Customers will not need to buy new television sets.
Free installation of digital devices will begin in the Holden Beach area in early May. Once completed, ATMC will move to other areas of the county. Customers will receive a notice by mail detailing when installations will be done in their neighborhood. Once the notice is received, customers should call and schedule their free installation appointment as soon as possible. For added convenience, installations will be done Monday through Saturday, 8 AM through 8 PM.
“We understand that ATMC’s conversion to digital technology may come as an inconvenience for some customers,” commented Allen Russ. “However, it is a necessary step for us to continue to provide the highly requested services we must provide to stay with the times.” Customers with questions or those that already have a digital device on every TV and don’t need to be included in the all-digital conversion project are asked to call 755-1919 or go online to www.atmcdigital.com.
