BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — BocaNewsNow.com has learned a board of directors meeting scheduled for last evening to discuss the increasingly controversial plan to switch Boca Falls from Comcast to Hotwire Communications for cable, internet, and in some cases phone service, was canceled due to lack of quorum. At issue: what homeowners in the mega-community west of 441 between Palmetto Park Road and Glades Road are supposed to do for at least three months after Comcast terminates service in the community and Hotwire finishes laying cables and rewiring every single home.
Homeowners were informed last week that Comcast, which has provided services to the HOA under a “bulk” contract agreement is terminating the agreement effective January 1st, 2012 following Boca Fall’s announcement that it is switching to Hotwire. That leaves homeowners to initiate individual, short-term high-priced contracts with Comcast as “gap coverage,” or go without service until Hotwire is up and running. Additionally, homeowners are frustrated that monthly dues in Boca Falls are increasing, even though cable is effectively not included between January and April 1st. The pro-rated increase for Hotwire, which includes eight months of service spread out over 12 months of payments, suggests significant HOA dues increases effective January 2013 when homeowners will absorb the full cost of yearly service under the multi-year, multimillion dollar deal.
Among the sample of emails BocaNewsNow.com has received:
“Several of my neighbors and myself feel that we are in a Communist compound as Boca Falls homeowners. Whether they are voted in or volunteering their time, they should still be looking out for the BEST interests for their neighbors.”
“I just had to respond to the most recent correspondence from the Boca Falls HOA. According to the blip below, the 2012 budget for Boca Falls does not contain any expenses for Comcast, only Hotwire. I think we are all well aware of that fact. Homeowners are becoming more and more aware, our dues will be raised to cover the included (forced) internet that is part of the bulk contract Boca Falls HOA Board signed without so much as a courtesy letter or email to let Homeowner’s know of their intention to raise our dues for a non mandatory utility. Very disrespectful move in this economy.”
As reported by BocaNewsNow.com, Hotwire Communications is expected to provide a higher level of service, including fiber optic and IP television, internet, and phone service than Comcast was capable of providing using its aging system acquired from Adelphia Communications years ago. However, Hotwire receives luke warm reviews from other South Florida communities, as seen in posts on tech websites.
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Any community board that approves a bulk contract for telecommunication/entertainment services is asking for a lawsuit these days. With technology changing so quickly and the economy so depressed, it is criminal to impose increased fees on your members for services that are not optional. Let each home owner choose what they want for service and stop imposing a choice on those who can’t afford or don’t want it.
I see the Boca News Now staff is just as uninformed as the Boca Falls board. What specifically do you mean when you say “is expected to provide a higher level of service”? Do tell.
What exactly are the residents of Boca Falls benefitting from?
Did you check speedtest.net to see whose customers receive faster download speeds?
Have you compared the channel lineup or Video On Demand Content?
Which of the 2 providers let you watch movies and tv shows on your laptop or mobile device?
You might be surprised on what you find.
By the way fiber optic is not a service as your article mentions Fiber optics is the wire, in this case glass, used to deliver the IPTV. Oh and did you know that Comcast already installed fiber up to various points in the community? Also please share with us what the benefit of IPTV is?
I’m just trying to help you guys “get it”. Residents might not be complaining this much if there was an end user benefit to the increased dues and digging up the community. I don’t think anyone even did the math yet to figure out what residents will be paying towards the end of this contract for analog TV! That’s like me selling you a VCR and you’re still making payments on it 7 years from now.
James,
Trust us. We get it. Fiber Optic is also a marketing term, so it’s easier to use that terminology which is widely being used by Hotwire and its competitors. We believe most people understand that fiber is a delivery mechanism. We are also well aware of Hotwire’s limitations, however, it would be inappropriate to not include the fact that some people do believe this is a better service. We were not making an editorial comment. This, however, is: we continue to be confused as to why the Boca Falls Board of Directors opted for a 7-year multimillion dollar bulking contract with a questionable company as opposed to eliminating bulking altogether and letting homeowners take advantage of the free market.
Thanks for your comments, and thanks for reading BocaNewsNow.com.
Hallelujah, BocaNewsNow, your commentary hit the nail right on the head, and I quote you “we continue to be confused as to why the Boca Falls Board of Directors opted for a 7-year multimillion dollar bulking contract with a questionable company as opposed to eliminating bulking altogether and letting homeowners take advantage of the free market.”
That is the question of the hour, and highlights the absurdity of this contract.
And to James, so happy to see you get it, and not only you get it, you make factual and relevant points that the Boca Falls Board seems to think it’s 722 homeowners would not get. I wonder why they signed this contract without any formal notice to residents as to the date they planned to ink this deal, and the fact they included internet. I find that to be very suspicious and also very unfair.
DJ,
You could not be more correct in your comments. I only wish the Boca Falls Board would have kept the best interests of it’s neighbors in mind when pursuing a contract with any company. There was absolutely no need to sign a 7 year contract with Hotwire. Shame on you Boca Falls HOA members.
BOCA FALLS neighbors, if you are unhappy with these services forced upon us, speak up. I am questioning the legality of included internet in the contract, without homeowner approval. It is not a necessary utility. What happens to seniors in the community that don’t need internet? They have to pay regardless. Disgusting!