Cable Choice

We're winning! But we've got a long way to go.

The Wall Street Journal reports that "laggard" cable companies are finally beginning to expand service offerings to meet consumer demand (7/21/05 “Cable Operators Rush Services To Keep Edge”).

So, why the change in attitude? The reason is simple, as the Journal writes:

But lately, as competition has intensified, the cable industry has become more innovative.

That's right, competition is working. In its nascent stage, we are starting to see real consumer benefits. And now is the time to seize this momentum and move forward. Real, lasting consumer benefits will only materialize when there are real, lasting video alternatives to cable.

That is why it is essential to continue that push at Congress and in state legislatures to allow video choice. If things are starting to get better for consumers with just the threat of competition, imagine how much better consumer options will be when that threat turns to reality.

Texas Cable Choice a Step Closer

Yesterday the Texas House passed a bill to allow statewide franchises for competitive cable video providers.  This legislation mirrors the bill that passed the Senate a few days ago and would remove the most significant barrier to real competition in the cable TV marketplace.

It's significant to note that not only do consumers come out of this battle on the plus side, so do cities and counties.  They worried that the legislation would decimate their budgets because of the loss of lucrative franchise fees currently paid by cable companies.  The legislation preserves these fees so that any competitive providers must also pay the local governments.

Cable Complaints Surge - Blame It On Competition

The Washington Post has a great piece on how cable complaints have surged in Montgomery County, MD. The cable provider does the predictable thing in response: blame it on the new video competition that the phone company is building in the area.  This article also reconfirms polling data that Consumers for Cable Choice will release this week that consumers want choice in cable providers and they regard the cable companies among the lowest in customer service.

Rapid Deployment of Cable Competition Gets Second Chance in Texas

Texas Gov. Perry announced that the state legislature can take up legislation to allow companies to get statewide franchises to provide competitive cable service.  This legislation died at the end of the last legislative session but now has given consumers in Texas a second chance of enjoying the benefits of competition.  The Dallas News thought it was a good idea too.

What this boils down to is that companies are ready to provide the services consumers want.  Eliminating the franchise barriers that the cable monopolies are hiding behind will unleash competitive activity in the cable marketplace that consumers have never seen before.

The Right Public Policy Can Bring Cable Choice to Consumers

C4CC’s policy position is posted here.  The future of high-speed, fiber-powered broadband has arrived.  Now it’s time for fair and sound policies to let new technology bring cable choice to consumers.

With Competition Comes Faster Speeds for Consumers

Cable companies are ramping up their Internet service speeds to upwards of 15megs because of ……. Competition!   Companies like Verizon are announcing that they will start offering their new high-speed network in certain areas and the cable companies respond with better offerings.  Consumers get more for their money and better products as a result.

Video Bill in Congress a Boon for Consumers

The Video Choice bill introduced today is a great first step to opening the cable market to multiple providers to wire our homes and connect us to the latest technology.  Here’s a good recap of why we need to pass legislation to set the rules on level terms so more companies can deliver what cable viewers want.

I think consumers will see an explosion of offerings consumers want if Congress can get the rules right.  When all the companies that can provide cable television service are allowed to compete, consumers will immediately have access to high-definition, digital video content delivered faster than they can currently imagine.

Consumers for Cable Choice is supporting this bill and is going to work to make it even more consumer friendly like advocating for consumers to have a fair hearing and remedy to complaints – something cable companies don’t offer. 

Consumers for Cable Choice needs your help to get legislation moving.  Please send a letter to your representatives and tell them you want to choose your cable provider.