NTCA: Rurals Fight for IP Video Franchising Freedom

[SOURCE: Telecommunications Online, AUTHOR: Bob Wallace]
The leadership of the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) detailed plans at their annual meeting to file documents with the FCC early next week that recommend changes in current video franchising processes. The changes are designed to benefit members who plan to, or already, offer video services, such as IPTV. The changes sought by the NTCA are focused on simplifying and streamlining the cumbersome process, while making it less expensive. Their bigger telco competitors, such as Verizon, are seeking to speed their IPTV deployments by securing franchises on anything but a municipality-at-a-time pace. But while rurals don't have region or nationwide IPTV aspirations, they’re similar in that their seeking changes in franchising. “We’re with the FCC in favor of promoting video competition and advanced technology services,” said Dan Mitchell, vice president of legal affairs for the NTCA. “The rest hinges on whether the FCC can issue mandatory or permissive franchising guidelines to local authorities. We believe they can offer permissive guidelines.” The later issue will likely be decided soon by the FCC in a highly anticipated rule making.
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