Martin To Take Up Telco Franchise Issues

[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Saying the FCC had received increasing complaints that local franchising authorities "may" be making it harder for telcos to get video franchises, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin told the United States Telecom Association Meeting in Las Vegas that he would try to take up the issue at the Commission's November meeting next week. The FCC has already issued a notice of proposed rulemaking into what the Commission should do, if anything, "to fulfill Congress’s directive that franchising authorities not grant exclusive franchises or unreasonably refuse to award additional competitive franchises."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6277988.html?display=Breaking+News&referral=SUPP
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* Chairman Martin's Remarks to USTA:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-261868A1.doc