Colorado Jumps Into Video Franchising Debate

While still advancing on a town-by-town basis in deploying their IPTV services, the efforts of AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc., and others could be accelerating as states consider legislation that would enable them to file once for franchise approval.

While they await final word on the national level, the next most effective approach is state-by-state action. Legislation has been introduced in Colorado, that, like legislation filed and approved in New Jersey and California late last year, helps speed service deployments. Massachusetts introduced a similar bill a few weeks ago.

Regulators in the Rocky Mountain state have begun evaluating a video franchising bill, that combined with that from New Jersey, represents a trend that stands to benefit telcos competing with established cable operators and satellite providers.

But even these efforts take time. Last March, the Institute for Policy Innovation (IPI) sent a letter to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee that it said

addresses video franchise reform and VoIP.

IPI argues that the main goals of regulation are to lower barriers to entry and exit and allowing markets to set prices. It said the letter advised legislators that “government should not serve as a gatekeeper, prices should move, property rights should be respected,” and “these aren't your father's cable companies or telecom companies.”

The Colorado bill, which would also aid the IPTV efforts of Qwest Communications International Inc., is opposed by cable incumbent Comcast Corp.

While telcos push for statewide video franchising, all video providers are still waiting to see what happens next on the national front.

Read an in-depth look at the issue, the players and the policy.

AT&T, Inc. www.att.com

Comcast Corp. www.comcast.com

Qwest Communications International Inc. www.qwest.com

Verizon Communications Inc. www.verizon.com

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