Fergie's Tech Blog

California: Schwarzenegger Signs Cable TV Deregulation Bill

An AP newswire article by Don Thompson, via The Mercury News, reports that:

Telephone companies can dive into California's $5.3 billion-a-year cable TV industry under a law signed Friday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. He said the measure, backed by millions of dollars in corporate contributions, will offer consumers better service and lower prices.

AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. promised more viewing choices and technological advances now that they can seek statewide licenses to deliver Internet and television services to homes and businesses.

The bill frees the telecom giants and cable companies from negotiating with individual communities as they have done until now. Local governments opposed the bill, fearing they will lose money, service to poor areas, public-access programming and free Internet in schools and libraries.

posted by Fergie @ 9/29/2006 07:46:00 PM