ZIP Code/ZIP+4 Identification Reports provide cable operators the ability to identify franchises which are candidates for deregulation. Reports include the following information :
Franchise Name
Franchise County
Franchise State
ZIP Code
ZIP+4
Households per Franchise Area (per 2000 Census)
With the above information, cable operators are able to request direct-broadcast-satellite (DBS) subscribers for all of the ZIP Codes/ZIP+4 within the franchise area, compare those subs to the total number of households for the franchise area, and determine if the 15% threshold for effective competition has been met.
MediaBiz provides the best franchise ZIP Code/ZIP+4 data available by offering the following :
1) Regularly updated data.
Quarterly updates to ZIP Code and ZIP+4 data sets ensure the most accurate, up-to-date information available.
2)
Ability to create custom maps.
On occasion, a franchise does not follow
city boundaries. In such instances, MediaBiz will build a custom map of franchise and identify the ZIP
Codes or ZIP+4 within that area.
3) Accurate occupied
household counts.
Filings depend upon 2000 Census data, which is often
confusing. Due to this confusion, cable operators frequently over-state the number of households in a
franchise area (thus under-state the competitive penetration). MediaBiz has been reporting on franchise areas since 1997, and is able to provide exact household counts every time.
4)
Ability to support cable operators when filings are challenged.
Often local governments challenge filings for deregulation. MediaBiz is here to answer objections, provide detailed explanations of all data included in filings, and produce graphical
maps as required to reinforce the validity of the data included in the filing.
Some cable operators try to use internal systems to identify the ZIP Codes or the ZIP+4 within a franchise area. Those solutions are inherently flawed for several reasons :
1) Billing systems don't include the entire franchise area.
Billing systems only include the ZIP Codes or ZIP+4 which currently subscribe to service, not the entire franchise area.
2) The engineering department only know where service is available.
Many franchises are not 100% built out. By only counting the DBS subscribers in the areas where service is available, cable operators under-state the DBS threat within the franchise.
3) ZIP Codes move, and internal databases may not be fully updated.
Even if either of the above solutions covers 100% of the franchise area, often these databases are not updated regularly, which causes confusion because ZIP Code boundaries change more often than expected. In fact, over a 12-month period studied, 20% of all ZIP Codes changed by 1 square mile or more. For more information on ZIP Codes, please download the ZIP Code FAQ.
4) No support when filings are challenged.
Going it alone leaves cable operators without a neutral 3rd party to defend them when filings are challenged by city governments.
For more information on ZIP/ZIP4 ID, please contact sales@mediabiz.com or call (303)271-9960.
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