Bschneider
01-06-2006, 09:29 PM
Commission To Vote On Cable Franchises
By RICHARD MULLINS rmullins@tampatrib.com (rmullins@tampatrib.com)
Published: Jan 6, 2006
http://www.tbo.com/news/money/MGB6IKYS3IE.html
TAMPA - Verizon Communications Inc. won an encouraging move from Hillsborough County officials Thursday that could speed the company's efforts to enter the local cable television market now dominated by Bright House Networks.
County commissioners voted Thursday to complete negotiations with two cable TV companies, including Verizon, that are seeking to win or renew county cable TV franchises.
For cable TV consumers in the area, the decision means New York-based Verizon could soon offer a rival TV package to Bright House for the bulk of residents in Hillsborough County that bundles the most popular kinds of electronic communications: telephone, wireless phone, Internet access and cable TV programming. Verizon is spending hundreds of millions to build a new network across the region to provide combined services, but it needs permission from local officials to sell the television portion of the package.
Company executives have expressed frustration with the pace of franchise talks with dozens of local governments across the country.
Thursday, Hillsborough commissioners said that in 30 days they want county attorneys and cable TV representatives involved in the talks to present proposals to the commission on franchise fees and other financial terms, setting the stage for an up-or-down vote on each.
"We're ready to rock and roll," Verizon spokesman Bob Elek said Thursday. "This could bring some closure to these negotiations - that's a good thing."
The county's move also won praise from Bright House officials. The East Syracuse, N.Y.-based company is negotiating to renew its cable franchise. "We're anxious to get beyond this stage and have a level playing field for competition," said Steven Anderson, a Bright House attorney.
By RICHARD MULLINS rmullins@tampatrib.com (rmullins@tampatrib.com)
Published: Jan 6, 2006
http://www.tbo.com/news/money/MGB6IKYS3IE.html
TAMPA - Verizon Communications Inc. won an encouraging move from Hillsborough County officials Thursday that could speed the company's efforts to enter the local cable television market now dominated by Bright House Networks.
County commissioners voted Thursday to complete negotiations with two cable TV companies, including Verizon, that are seeking to win or renew county cable TV franchises.
For cable TV consumers in the area, the decision means New York-based Verizon could soon offer a rival TV package to Bright House for the bulk of residents in Hillsborough County that bundles the most popular kinds of electronic communications: telephone, wireless phone, Internet access and cable TV programming. Verizon is spending hundreds of millions to build a new network across the region to provide combined services, but it needs permission from local officials to sell the television portion of the package.
Company executives have expressed frustration with the pace of franchise talks with dozens of local governments across the country.
Thursday, Hillsborough commissioners said that in 30 days they want county attorneys and cable TV representatives involved in the talks to present proposals to the commission on franchise fees and other financial terms, setting the stage for an up-or-down vote on each.
"We're ready to rock and roll," Verizon spokesman Bob Elek said Thursday. "This could bring some closure to these negotiations - that's a good thing."
The county's move also won praise from Bright House officials. The East Syracuse, N.Y.-based company is negotiating to renew its cable franchise. "We're anxious to get beyond this stage and have a level playing field for competition," said Steven Anderson, a Bright House attorney.