Telcos, cable companies face off over TV franchises

There's fair and then there's fair: "The cable companies, such as Time Warner, Comcast and Cox Communications, oppose this approach because, they say, it unfairly favors telephone companies. For example, under this law cable companies would still be subject to the old rules for securing local franchises. The cable companies would also still be required to provide free access channels to communities and free access to municipal buildings, while the phone companies would not be required to make either accommodation."

And how does that really differ from allowing essentially free rein to VoIP companies while continuing to hamper so-called "traditional telcos with heavy regulation? Seems to me that if it's good in one area it's good in another. This is just payback to the telcos for not having a level playing field with VoIP companies.

The idea seems to be that established companies in any field are to be regulated but new companies, especially those incorporating the technology 'flavor of the day', are to be left alone.

Carl Rapson; Posted by: rapson Posted on: 05/27/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use