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FCC Kills Build-out Requirements for Telecoms

Posted by samzenpus on from the new-rules dept.

Frankencelery writes "In a 3-2 vote, the FCC has altered cable franchising laws in the U.S. to the advantage of AT&T and Verizon. 'The FCC order imposes a 90-day limit on local communities' franchising decisions, but, more importantly, does away with build-out requirements. Those requirements generally insist that companies offer service to all the residents in the town, rather than cherry-picking the profitable areas.' Good news for the telecoms, but bad for cities who want a say in the fiber deployments."

3 of 325 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Why is the FCC making policy? by Detritus · · Score: 4, Informative

    The FCC makes telecommunications policy via regulations because that limited power was expressly given to them by an act of Congress. Congress has the power to modify the FCC's authority, and has done so on numerous occasions. If you actually read the proceedings of the FCC, they often make reference to the statutory authority that empowers them to deal with an issue, or that limits what they can do.

    --
    Mea navis aericumbens anguillis abundat
  2. Join a Mesh Network Project! by mailseth · · Score: 3, Informative

    Please allow me to plug the open source mesh network project that I've been involved with. If the residents feel that they are being treated unfairly, they should just put up CUWiN nodes, and share to all areas in the city with minimal cost.

    http://cuwireless.net/

  3. Why I can't get Verizon FIOS IPTV by glennrrr · · Score: 3, Informative

    Here in Nashua, New Hampshire, I've heard the reason Verizon does not offer TV service along with their fiber optic Internet service is that the mayor is insisting on universal access until he allows the franchise (and conveniently preventing competition with Comcast). So I get my TV via a ugly Dish Network dish on my roof, and my Internet via the zippy fast Verizon fiber optic service.
    This is not exactly pushing the limits of the bandwidth of the fiber.