GNG News Guy
11-26-2007, 10:10 AM
http://i.dslr.net/urls/97/797.gif (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/FCC-Votes-Tuesday-on-Cable-Regulation-89736)
The FCC will meet tomorrow to vote on FCC boss Kevin Martin's plan to regulate the cable industry. A 1984 provision states that if the cable sector grows to the point where it offers cable to 70% of the public and 70% of those users sign up -- the FCC is granted additional regulatory authority. Martin wants to use this authority to limit cable growth and force them to adopt "a la carte" pricing. His reasons are varied (http://www.thegng.org/shownews/Kevin-Martin-Doesnt-Hate-Cable-He-Just-Loves-Ma-Bell-89456).
Martin's plan doesn't have the support of fellow Conservatives, who traditionally oppose regulation on all fronts. The cable industry's lobbying may also play a role in scuttling his proposal, according to the NY Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/26/business/media/26cable.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin). In addition, fellow commissioners from both parties are complaining that Martin is rushing them to decide and vote on the issue before they've had adequate time to explore the numbers.
read comment(s) (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/FCC-Votes-Tuesday-on-Cable-Regulation-89736)
The FCC will meet tomorrow to vote on FCC boss Kevin Martin's plan to regulate the cable industry. A 1984 provision states that if the cable sector grows to the point where it offers cable to 70% of the public and 70% of those users sign up -- the FCC is granted additional regulatory authority. Martin wants to use this authority to limit cable growth and force them to adopt "a la carte" pricing. His reasons are varied (http://www.thegng.org/shownews/Kevin-Martin-Doesnt-Hate-Cable-He-Just-Loves-Ma-Bell-89456).
Martin's plan doesn't have the support of fellow Conservatives, who traditionally oppose regulation on all fronts. The cable industry's lobbying may also play a role in scuttling his proposal, according to the NY Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/26/business/media/26cable.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin). In addition, fellow commissioners from both parties are complaining that Martin is rushing them to decide and vote on the issue before they've had adequate time to explore the numbers.
read comment(s) (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/FCC-Votes-Tuesday-on-Cable-Regulation-89736)