FCC Initiates Rulemaking to Ensure Reasonable Franchising Process for New Video Market Entrants

[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that seeks comment on issues relating to the implementation of Section 621(a)(1) of the Communications Act of 1934. The Notice seeks input on what can be done to ensure that local franchising authorities do not unreasonably refuse to award cable franchises to competitive entrants. This Notice initiates a proceeding to further the interrelated goals of enhanced cable competition and accelerated broadband deployment. The FCC tentatively concludes that the mandate of Section 621(a)(1) should be interpreted to prohibit not just the ultimate refusal to award a franchise, but also a broader range of behaviors, and the Notice seeks comment on that conclusion.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-262015A1.doc