Hearings into the fight between AT and T and the state’s cable providers were supposed to have finished today, but the debate will continue in at least one more week of testimony before the state legislature.
A proposed law would give the telephone company a statewide franchise to provide video service. Cable providers with current city-by-city franchises oppose it.
Legislators have expressed dismay over lack of progress in what they see as negotiations between AT and T and the cable-casters.
Commerce Committee Chair Steve Southerland assigned homework to representatives of the Tennessee Municipal League. He told them to write down their biggest objections to the bill and proposed solutions, due next Monday.
Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg is president of the League. He likes the current system of having cable providers seek a franchise from each city they serve.
“Cities have a 50-year history of protecting consumer interests, protecting the values of the rights-of-way, and also providing customer service for our cable video companies.”
By passing AT and T’s bill, Bragg said, the state will be taking up the challenge of overseeing millions of cable-customer accounts, which he called an unbudgeted obligation.
Cable and phone representatives are expected to return to the Senate Commerce Committee early next week to resume their debate.
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