For Immediate Release
December 20, 2006
Washington, D.C. --TIA applauds today’s decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to remove barriers to entry into the video franchise market on a nationwide level.
TIA has long urged the FCC to impose uniform requirements on local franchise authorities (LFAs) to minimize the adverse effects of the existing local franchise process. TIA believes the commission’s decision today is consistent with its momentum toward a deregulatory framework necessary to increase broadband deployment to all Americans.
Through its comments and ex partes in this docket, as well as reply comments through the High-Tech Broadband Coalition (HTBC), TIA has continued to argue that the local franchise process has acted as a regulatory barrier to entry that impedes timely investment in new facilities and capabilities. Such regulatory barriers can discourage investment, and, as a result, stifle innovation and competition. “Our industry believes that today’s FCC decision will be of great benefit to consumers and to the economy by increasing both broadband deployment and competition in the video programming market,” said TIA President Matt Flanigan.
In its order, the FCC preempts local authority in regard to behavior on the part of LFAs that amounts to an "unreasonabl[e] refus[al] to grant a competitive franchise," under Section 621 of the Telecom Act of 1996. The order expressly preempts local authority, as well as state/local playing field provisions, but does not preempt statewide regimes.
“TIA member companies, consumers and businesses will see positive results from the FCC’s decision to remove barriers to entry into the video services market because this regulatory move can spur innovation, investment and the deployment of broadband,” Flanigan added. “Today’s action by the FCC was an additional step in the right direction, and we applaud the commission for its forward-looking approach.”
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About TIA
The Telecommunications Industry Association is the leading trade association for the information, communications and entertainment technology (ICET) industry. TIA serves ICET suppliers to global markets through its leadership in standards development, domestic and international policy advocacy, and facilitating member business opportunities. TIA represents the communications sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA). For more information, go to www.tiaonline.org.
