Qwest playing hardball to gain cable franchise

QWEST PLAYING HARDBALL TO GAIN CABLE FRANCHISE
[SOURCE: Rocky Mountain News, AUTHOR: Jeff Smith]
Qwest Communications, rebuffed in previous efforts to land cable TV franchises in Colorado, is now playing hardball. The Denver telco is giving the city of Arvada 90 days to decide whether to accept a video franchise application. The application marks the first local test of a new Federal Communications Commission order enabling telcos to put communities on a 90-day shot clock. Qwest Colorado President Chuck Ward said in a letter to Arvada officials that if the two sides "are unable to negotiate an acceptable agreement . . . then pursuant to FCC rules, Qwest will be authorized to offer service pursuant to an interim franchise." One of the main sticking points has been whether Qwest should get franchises without being required to provide TV services throughout a community. Many municipalities fear Qwest will cherry-pick neighborhoods. Qwest's application to Arvada includes no buildout provision.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/tech/article/0,2777,DRMN_23910_566...