AT&T says ‘no’ to Conn. cable franchise

AT&T SAYS 'NO' TO CONNECTICUT CABLE FRANCHISE
[SOURCE: Telephony Online, AUTHOR: Carol Wilson]
AT&T is fully prepared to cut off service to more than 7000 U-verse customers in Connecticut and stop all video service in that state rather than file for a statewide cable license. The company, known for tough stands on the franchise issue, is taking its toughest stand to date, staring down consumer groups and a state attorney general determined to make AT&T accept tougher terms for the right to offer video service. On AT&T’s side is a statewide video service law, passed this summer, that separates legacy cable operations from new video service providers and imposes fewer requirements on the new competitors. In Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal’s corner is a July 29 ruling from a federal judge that AT&T’s U-Verse is a cable offering.
http://telephonyonline.com/broadband/regulatory/att_cable_connecticut_101807/