Comcast Gains Dallas Deregulation

[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
The FCC's Media Bureau Monday barred the city of Dallas from regulating basic-cable rates charged by Comcast, settling a bitter dispute between city regulators and the largest U.S. cable company. In a short ruling that took one year to decide and release, the FCC determined that Comcast met its legal burden of proving that more than 15% of Dallas households subscribe to a major satellite service. When the 15% test is met, local regulators may not set basic rates, and the cable operator is no longer required to provide a uniform rate structure or to give basic subscribers the option of buying a premium service like Home Box Office without having to buy a higher tier of service. While Comcast argued that direct-broadcast satellite penetration was 17%, Dallas regulators complained that Comcast had inflated DBS penetration and relied on outdated U.S. Census data. The FCC said the city's arguments "lack merit." Dallas may appeal the decision to FCC Commissioners.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6283729.html?display=Breaking+News
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