Martin Pushing 90-Day Franchise Clock

MARTIN PUSHES 90-DAY FRANCHISE CLOCK
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
Cities and towns would have 90 days to act on cable-franchise applications filed by their local phone companies, according to a proposal unveiled Wednesday by Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin. Having waited for cable-franchising legislation to fizzle on Capitol Hill before going public with his own plan, Chairman Martin said FCC pressure on cities and towns to act promptly would produce several benefits, including spurring broadband deployment and lowering cable bills. The 90-day cap would apply to entities that had existing approval to occupy public rights of way -- presumably phone companies initiating service and cable incumbents seeking renewal. Those without rights-of-way approval might have to wait up to six months. “When the local franchising authority unreasonably delays action on a franchise application, they obstruct and, indeed, in some cases, completely derail a new entrant’s attempt to bring video competition into an area,” Martin said. Chairman Martin’s plan would not only impose a shot clock, but also restrict cities from extracting franchise fees on noncable services and from demanding the construction of cable facilities on a timeline that cable incumbents never had to meet. Chairman Martin, who has circulated his plan among the other four FCC members, would like it voted on at the agency’s Dec. 20 open meeting.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6397884.html?display=Breaking+News

* Martin speech that outlines the plan:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-268845A1.doc

* Martin Pitches Telco-Aid Package
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6397895.html?title=Article&spacedesc=news