from tvweek.com
Legislation Would Ease Phone Companies' Entry Into Video Services
By Doug Halonen
Lawmakers in the Senate and House on Thursday introduced legislation that would allow telephone companies to offer video services without obtaining local cable TV franchises.
The National Cable & Telecommunications Association had no comment on the bills, which were introduced in the Senate by Sens. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., and Jay Rockefeller, D-W.V., and in the House by Reps. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Albert Wynn, D-Md.
In a statement, Tim McKone, SBC Communications' senior VP of federal relations, said: "Consumers want an alternative to the cable companies' annual price hikes. SBC is committed to bringing video competition to consumers, and these bills clearly reflect Congress' intent to promote competition for consumers. We look forward to working with Congress to eliminate the barriers to entry into the video market so that consumers can enjoy meaningful competition."
Legislation Would Ease Phone Companies' Entry Into Video Services
By Doug Halonen
Lawmakers in the Senate and House on Thursday introduced legislation that would allow telephone companies to offer video services without obtaining local cable TV franchises.
The National Cable & Telecommunications Association had no comment on the bills, which were introduced in the Senate by Sens. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., and Jay Rockefeller, D-W.V., and in the House by Reps. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Albert Wynn, D-Md.
In a statement, Tim McKone, SBC Communications' senior VP of federal relations, said: "Consumers want an alternative to the cable companies' annual price hikes. SBC is committed to bringing video competition to consumers, and these bills clearly reflect Congress' intent to promote competition for consumers. We look forward to working with Congress to eliminate the barriers to entry into the video market so that consumers can enjoy meaningful competition."
