Factually, this story is inaccurate in that the Cable Bill will require the Telcos to apply for a cable TV franchise in each locallity...it just speeds up the process to 75 days and enforces certain "default" build-out requirements. Also, Cable and the LFAs are still free to negotiate more favorable agreements if they so desire.
Source
Virginia legislators have passed a bill that would allow telephone companies to get a statewide license to sell TV programming rather than applying for local franchises across the state.
The measure, if signed by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, would make Virginia the second state after Texas to pass a law smoothing the way for new competition in the market, despite fierce opposition from traditional cable companies.
The bill is a boost for Verizon Communications Inc. in its bid to roll out subscription TV service over the high-speed fiber-optic network the phone company is installing. Verizon is the dominant provider of local phone service in Virginia.
Verizon and AT &T Inc. have been pushing hard at the federal and state levels to ease local franchising requirements. They have complained that it will take years to apply for franchises in each of the thousands of localities they serve, forcing an unnecessary delay in bringing new competition to cable.
Cable companies including Comcast Corp. had opposed the bill on the grounds that it would allow telecom newcomers to stake out only the most affluent areas to offer TV services.
Source
Virginia legislators have passed a bill that would allow telephone companies to get a statewide license to sell TV programming rather than applying for local franchises across the state.
The measure, if signed by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, would make Virginia the second state after Texas to pass a law smoothing the way for new competition in the market, despite fierce opposition from traditional cable companies.
The bill is a boost for Verizon Communications Inc. in its bid to roll out subscription TV service over the high-speed fiber-optic network the phone company is installing. Verizon is the dominant provider of local phone service in Virginia.
Verizon and AT &T Inc. have been pushing hard at the federal and state levels to ease local franchising requirements. They have complained that it will take years to apply for franchises in each of the thousands of localities they serve, forcing an unnecessary delay in bringing new competition to cable.
Cable companies including Comcast Corp. had opposed the bill on the grounds that it would allow telecom newcomers to stake out only the most affluent areas to offer TV services.
