An appeals court yesterday rebuffed an attempt by cable providers to challenge a rule that makes it easier for phone companies and other potential competitors to move in on their turf.
In the decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit upheld a rule made last year by the Federal Communications Commission that imposes stricter guidelines on how municipal and state governments may evaluate new video service providers.
The court dismissed a petition by cable operators and local governments to overturn the FCC’s 90-day time limit on local regulators to approve applications by new entrants in cable and other pay television services. The decision also backs the FCC’s rule that city and state regulators can’t demand favors in exchange for their approval.
The National Cable & Telecommunications Association and local governments, including New York City officials, challenged the FCC’s 2007 rules with their petition to the appeals court. The organizations argued that the commission doesn’t have authority over local regulators, called video-franchising authorities, and that such rules were unnecessary.
Image from Stock.xchng.
No comments yet.