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Leveling The Playing Field Without Compromising On Quality
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06/25/06 07:42 AM ET
The House passed bill is going to facilitate competition in the cable tv service marketplace and that should lower cable rates. We know competition has worked to lower rates in markets located in Texas, Florida, and Virginia.
Over the past decade we've seen cable bills go up primarily because government regulations make it extremely difficult for new providers to enter a market and compete. The House bill will let new entrants provide service without negotiating individual franchise agreements with each locality in the area they hope to serve. New entrants will have to pay the same franchise fees to local governments as existing providers, carry the same level of public access channels, and local government will continue to have control over rights of way. I had introduced the first franchise reform bill with Rep. Wynn last year and I'm glad to see it push the debate in the right direction and lead to a bill. I hope the Senate will join us on this.
Over the past decade we've seen cable bills go up primarily because government regulations make it extremely difficult for new providers to enter a market and compete. The House bill will let new entrants provide service without negotiating individual franchise agreements with each locality in the area they hope to serve. New entrants will have to pay the same franchise fees to local governments as existing providers, carry the same level of public access channels, and local government will continue to have control over rights of way. I had introduced the first franchise reform bill with Rep. Wynn last year and I'm glad to see it push the debate in the right direction and lead to a bill. I hope the Senate will join us on this.
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