Cable One Urges FCC to Take Stand on LFA Broadband Franchise

Cable One General Counsel Peter Witty urged the FCC to confirm local communities can't require cable operators with Communications Act Title VI cable franchises also get a franchise or authorization to provide non-cable broadband services, in meetings with aides to Commissioners Brendan Carr and Mike O'Rielly and with Media Bureau Chief Michelle Carey, recounted a docket 05-311 posting Monday. The agency should confirm communities can't demand payment of more franchise fees or right-of-way access fees from cable operators as a condition of providing broadband or VoIP services, the operator said. It decried "never-ending escalation" of station retransmission consent fees