AT&T v. cable companies gearing up for next round in Tennessee
Submitted by R. Neal on Fri, 11/09/2007 - 10:43.
Following defeat of their bill in the last session of the Tennessee General Assembly, AT&T is suiting up for another run at a statewide cable/internet franchise bill that eliminates local control of cable franchises, regulates local franchise fees, restricts or eliminates customer service and quality standards, provides state regulation of local public right of way for the benefit of cable companies, restricts or eliminates local build-out requirements, and allows cable companies to create statewide franchises.
This was a huge battle last year, and AT&T has a history of bringing it up again and again to try to wear down opponents. They have been successful in several states.
For the play-by-play from the previous round and links to other blogs and info, see these posts at KnoxViews.
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/09/2007 - 11:54.
AT&T, Verizon and the rest are all scum. They love the unregulated aspect of cable, wireless and satellite. I used to work for Verizon, in Regulatory and the pissing contests between them, MCI, AT&T,SBC and the many companies that they all absorbed or drove out of business were incredibly expensive. S'okay, the ratepayers got stuck with the bills while they were working under "Rate of return" rule or, if they could get deregulated they would just jack up the prices to the customer.
AT&T, Verizon and the rest are all scum. They love the unregulated aspect of cable, wireless and satellite. I used to work for Verizon, in Regulatory and the pissing contests between them, MCI, AT&T,SBC and the many companies that they all absorbed or drove out of business were incredibly expensive. S'okay, the ratepayers got stuck with the bills while they were working under "Rate of return" rule or, if they could get deregulated they would just jack up the prices to the customer.
Trust them at your peril.