Mediacom adds digital signals in SWMO

Mediacom Communications announced Jan. 5 that it will upgrade its network technology in Springfield and 10 southwest Missouri counties as part of an effort to expand its high-definition lineup by 40 channels.

The new channels, which are set to debut March 1, will eliminate analog signal transmission for Mediacom Family Cable, on channels 23 through 78, and customers who are still using older analog TVs will need to use digital adapters to continue receiving those channels, according to a news release.

Mediacom will provide free digital adapters on a lease-free basis, with up to three adapters available per customer to aid in the transition, the release said. Customers who already are using digital cable or digital-ready TVs manufactured after 2007 will not need to use the adapters.

The upgrade will result in an all-digital lineup for all but a limited number of basic broadcast channels.

"To maximize investments in newer technologies, we will eliminate much of the outdated and inefficient analog in our network, " said Mediacom Area Operations Director Steve Bennett, in the release. "With this upgrade, our customers can be confident we will keep pace with their demand for more HD channels."
 
A Get Digital adapter distribution center opened Jan. 6 at Mediacom Ice Park, 635 E. Trafficway. Staffed by customer service teams, it will be open 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday through Feb. 28, the release said.

Mediacom also will host open houses and distribute adapters in eight communities:
* Mount Vernon, 3-7 p.m. Jan. 9 at Mediacom's technical operations center, 1110 Breckenridge Road;
* Lockwood, 3-7 p.m. Jan. 10 at Lockwood High School's cafeteria, 400 W. Fourth St.;
* Cabool, 3-6 p.m. Jan. 12 in the Great Southern Bank conference room, 527 Ozark Ave.;
* Crane, 3-7 p.m. Jan. 16, at Crane High School, 209 Pirate Lane;
* Ash Grove, 3-7 p.m. Jan. 19 in the Sunshine Center dining room, 310 N. Perryman St.;
*Mansfield, 4-7 p.m. Jan. 21, at Mansfield High School, 316 W. Ohio St.;
* Forsyth, 4-7 p.m. Forsyth High School, 178 Panther Road; and
* Kimberling City, 3-7 p.m. Jan. 26 in East Room B at Kimberling Inn & Resort, 11863 State Hwy. 13.[[In-content Ad]]