A Special Webinar held on September 29th regarding the Altice PEG Channel Switches in New Jersey, and the Surrounding Tri-State Municipalities

Around the 21st of August, all PEG Stations who are part of the Altice/Optimum cable system had their channels switched from their normal positions to the 1300-1317 spectrum. It effected the entire tri-state area and no-one received messages from Altice that this change was coming or had time to re-brand our stations to inform our residents. 

After a lot of yelling from the municipalities and other parties, all channels were switched back to their original positions by the 3rd week of September.

Below are a some points that were made from our special webinar to prepare all of us for the future, in the event this channel change is attempted again:

Around the 21st of August, all PEG Stations who are part of the Altice/Optimum cable system had their channels switched from their normal positions to the 1300-1317 spectrum.

To make matters worse, PEG Operators, Municipal Clerks, Mayors, and the consumers were not notified of this switch happening, though Government Affairs for Altice stated they notified everyone.  Notifications in both the municipal and consumer level were nowhere to be found.  This change not only affected us here in New Jersey but also in New York and Connecticut.

On July 29, 2025, Representative Rob Menendez (NJ-08) led Democratic members of Congress from New Jersey in demanding that Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick immediately reverse harmful cuts to Digital Equity Act Programs that ensure low-income households, veterans, seniors, and other vulnerable Americans are able to fully participate in the modern economy. 

From NATOA:

On June 18, 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed Olivia Trusty as a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) commissioner for the term that expired on June 30, 2025. She was also reappointed for a term of five years which started on July 1, 2025. The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) recognizes Ms. Trusty’s years of dedicated public service as a staff member of the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation and the Internet, and the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection.

It’s Back! The Protecting Community Television Act, S-1994 / HR-3805

For 25 years, the Jersey Access Group (JAG) has kept a watchful eye on bills both nationally and statewide that might be an issue for our municipalities and PEG channels throughout New Jersey. But, JAG really started to be legislatively wise in 2011 when JAG mobilizes its membership within 24 hours to combat state legislation that would eliminate the requirements for telecom providers to care about or support community media.

Last month became an active one for us, but now Congress is dealing with other issues and everything else has slowed down a-bit. So, instead of discussing actions being taken in either our federal or state governments, we are turning our attention to New Jersey for a more in-depth discussion and perspective on what is going on with all legislation and broadband deployment in the Garden State, along with technology backed by acts to aid in emergency situations.

February has seen significant legislative activity concerning telecommunications. The introduction of H.R. 278, the Broadband Leadership Act, proposes accelerated siting processes with minimal local oversight. Experts highlight concerns over diminishing local authority in telecommunications. A panel on diversity in the sector emphasized that equity measures must align with existing laws and principles.

New Jersey municipalities can access federal broadband improvement funds by mapping underserved areas and applying for resources. At the 2024 League of Municipalities Conference, experts emphasized the importance of local input in the funding process. Communities must ensure accurate maps to secure funding by the 12/31/24 deadline, focusing on digital equity and accessibility.