Cable Industry Pushes Franchising Authority Streamlining

Cable operators often run into rights-of-way access problems with franchising authorities, with many localities trying to put in place new authorization and fee requirements that impede broadband deployment, NCTA, Charter Communications, Comcast and Cox representatives told FCC Wireline and Media Bureau staffers, recounted a docket 17-84 filing posted Friday. The cable reps said those impediments include duplicative franchise fees, additional authorizations they see as unnecessary and sometimes an inability to deploy in utility easements. The cable allies asked the FCC to use its authority under Title VI and Communications Act Section 253, which pre-empts state and local law regarding telco service provision, to streamline regulatory burdens.