In article <199502041358.AA09885@panix.com> habs@panix.com (Harry S. Hawk) writes:
TELECOM REFORM, REPUBLICAN-STYLE Sen. Larry Pressler (R-SD) has proposed a telecommunications reform plan that would drop all cable TV rate regulations; allow local phone and cable competition and cross-ownership in one year; ease foreign ownership restrictions; and allow local phone companies to compete in long distance in three years. A formal counter proposal is expected from the Democrats February 14, and it's expected that there will be objections to most of the provisions outlined in Pressler's bill. (Investor's Business Daily 2/2/95 A4)
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For those that don't know I have my Master's in Interactive Telecommunications, and have long looked at cable and teleco from several angles including freemarket and cypherpunk viewpoints.
I have to agree. When I first moved to Austin Texas, the rates for cable were not too bad, we were in an area that had a choice between two cable companies. After a couple years, a third company, a wireless company came into town. I then moved to Plano Texas, outside of Dallas, and was absolutely SHOCKED at the cable prices. Of course, in Plano, there was ONE cable company, and all the channels except broadcast channels were scrambled, so you HAD to get the cable box. In Austin, I could use the VCR tuner. The only scrambled channels were the premium channels. The service in Austin was better and about 2/3 the cost. I definately feel that competition is a MUST! ---------------------------------------------------------| | #include "std/disclaimer.h" Michael P. Brininstool | | mikepb@freke.lerctr.org OR mikepb@netcom.com | |---------------------------------------------------------