Texas-Sized Fight Over Law

[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Linda Haugsted]
The Texas Cable & Telecommunications Association is challenging a new state law that created statewide franchising. In a law suit the group asserts that the state law violates the due-process, equal-protection, contracts and free-speech sections of the state constitution. The suit targets three commissioners of the state Public Utility Commission, the state body charged under the new law with authorizing franchise applications. The suit keys on the fact that new providers -- especially bill-backers AT&T and -- can enter the video market without the same regulatory burden as incumbent operators. The new providers face no build-out or universal-service requirements, among other regulatory differences. Meanwhile, incumbents must meet the terms of current municipal franchises, but they are free to also apply to operate under state rules once those franchises expire.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6302688.html?display=Breaking+News
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