Comments on: Telecoms, cable firms take franchise fight to D.C.

Phone and cable executives testified before the Senate Commerce Committee on changing video franchise rules.

[infobama]

Capitalistic competition!

I'm sick of all these Monopololies and companies that are so greedy. all these companies look at is what they can TAKE from us, not what they can contribute. If I had my way America would be one big public owned community with no room for capitalunnism. makes me sick!! I dont send my money to these corps if I can help it. Materialism Sucks

[smcgui5]

Maybe you should leave....

Capitalism is the driving force of why we one of the greatest nations. Not only do we promote liberty and freedom, but along with those is free enterprise. This also comes at a sharp cost. While these big companies fight over which areas should be theirs and how fast they can get into these areas should be, in no way, a reason to badmouth capitalism. If you like, you can go to China or Korea where the government decides what company will be where, how they will operate, what prices to charge, and what services to offer. I myself am a small business owner, I had the freedom to start up my business, as long as I played fair with the business rules and regulations. If you don't like where you live, then leave. That's all I have to say.

[infobama]

Capitalistic competition!

I'm sick of all these Monopololies and companies that are so greedy. all these companies look at is what they can TAKE from us, not what they can contribute. If I had my way America would be one big public owned community with no room for capitalunnism. makes me sick!! I dont send my money to these corps if I can help it. Materialism Sucks

[smcgui5]

Maybe you should leave....

Capitalism is the driving force of why we one of the greatest nations. Not only do we promote liberty and freedom, but along with those is free enterprise. This also comes at a sharp cost. While these big companies fight over which areas should be theirs and how fast they can get into these areas should be, in no way, a reason to badmouth capitalism. If you like, you can go to China or Korea where the government decides what company will be where, how they will operate, what prices to charge, and what services to offer. I myself am a small business owner, I had the freedom to start up my business, as long as I played fair with the business rules and regulations. If you don't like where you live, then leave. That's all I have to say.

Franchise Contracts = Monopolistic Practices

Open up the competition ASAP. Separate the Services from the physical media. Multiple services providers should have access to the media and the set top box. No services provider should be excluded.

History shows prices go down with competition: phone rates, air fares, etc.

Franchise Contracts = Monopolistic Practices

Open up the competition ASAP. Separate the Services from the physical media. Multiple services providers should have access to the media and the set top box. No services provider should be excluded.

History shows prices go down with competition: phone rates, air fares, etc.

Why should Phone Companies get special treatment

Why should the phone companies be given special treatment?? If they want to be a media provider- than they should be to play by the same rules that cable providers have had to play by for years. By mainstreaming the francising rules it will take away money from the townships- not to mention- do you think they went into Asbury Park to ask for francise? no they went to Long Island where the pockets are deep. Don't be fooled by the phone companies that for years upon years have been ripping off the American public!!! They want to be pushy line cutters!!! Well, back of the line baby- take a number like the rest of us!!!!!

Frat Boys, Hazing, and a Level Playing Field

The cable guys' basic argument is "Hey, we had to
schmooz all of those local politicians. We had
to put up with local access. We had to give free
equipment to the schools, and, yeah, some of
these places made us hire some guy's wife in a
no-show job. We put up with all of that cr*p
because that's what you have to do to get a
local franchise. If the phone guys think that
they're going to get a free ride on this, then
they have another think coming."

While I'm not a big fan of the cable guys, they
are right on this one. The phone companies were
arrogant, and built out their video network with
the _assumption_ that they would get special
treatment.

The unfortunate thing is that the consumer is
getting hurt by all of this. Instead of
competition based on providing good service,
we have competition based on who has the best
lobbyists and lawyers. Not good.

Meanwhile, the phone guys are thinking up ways
to erect toll booths on the infobahn. They are
being stupid. Common carrier status provides
them with important legal protections. As soon
as they move towards a monopoly ISP business
model, they are exposed to all kinds of liability.

Frat Boys, Hazing, and a Level Playing Field

The cable guys' basic argument is "Hey, we had to
schmooz all of those local politicians. We had
to put up with local access. We had to give free
equipment to the schools, and, yeah, some of
these places made us hire some guy's wife in a
no-show job. We put up with all of that cr*p
because that's what you have to do to get a
local franchise. If the phone guys think that
they're going to get a free ride on this, then
they have another think coming."

While I'm not a big fan of the cable guys, they
are right on this one. The phone companies were
arrogant, and built out their video network with
the _assumption_ that they would get special
treatment.

The unfortunate thing is that the consumer is
getting hurt by all of this. Instead of
competition based on providing good service,
we have competition based on who has the best
lobbyists and lawyers. Not good.

Meanwhile, the phone guys are thinking up ways
to erect toll booths on the infobahn. They are
being stupid. Common carrier status provides
them with important legal protections. As soon
as they move towards a monopoly ISP business
model, they are exposed to all kinds of liability.

Frat Boys, Hazing, and a Level Playing Field

The cable guys' basic argument is "Hey, we had to
schmooze all of those local politicians. We had
to put up with local access. We had to give free
equipment to the schools, and, yeah, some of
these places made us hire some guy's wife in a
no-show job. We put up with all of that cr*p
because that's what you have to do to get a
local franchise. If the phone guys think that
they're going to get a free ride on this, then
they have another think coming."

While I'm not a big fan of the cable guys, they
are right on this one. The phone companies were
arrogant, and built out their video network with
the _assumption_ that they would get special
treatment.

The unfortunate thing is that the consumer is
getting hurt by all of this. Instead of
competition based on providing good service,
we have competition based on who has the best
lobbyists and lawyers. Not good.

Meanwhile, the phone guys are thinking up ways
to erect toll booths on the Infobahn. They are
being stupid. Common carrier status provides
them with important legal protections. As soon
as they move towards a monopoly ISP business
model, they are exposed to all kinds of liability.

Why should Phone Companies get special treatment

Why should the phone companies be given special treatment?? If they want to be a media provider- than they should be to play by the same rules that cable providers have had to play by for years. By mainstreaming the francising rules it will take away money from the townships- not to mention- do you think they went into Asbury Park to ask for francise? no they went to Long Island where the pockets are deep. Don't be fooled by the phone companies that for years upon years have been ripping off the American public!!! They want to be pushy line cutters!!! Well, back of the line baby- take a number like the rest of us!!!!!

Frat Boys, Hazing, and a Level Playing Field

The cable guys' basic argument is "Hey, we had to
schmooz all of those local politicians. We had
to put up with local access. We had to give free
equipment to the schools, and, yeah, some of
these places made us hire some guy's wife in a
no-show job. We put up with all of that cr*p
because that's what you have to do to get a
local franchise. If the phone guys think that
they're going to get a free ride on this, then
they have another think coming."

While I'm not a big fan of the cable guys, they
are right on this one. The phone companies were
arrogant, and built out their video network with
the _assumption_ that they would get special
treatment.

The unfortunate thing is that the consumer is
getting hurt by all of this. Instead of
competition based on providing good service,
we have competition based on who has the best
lobbyists and lawyers. Not good.

Meanwhile, the phone guys are thinking up ways
to erect toll booths on the infobahn. They are
being stupid. Common carrier status provides
them with important legal protections. As soon
as they move towards a monopoly ISP business
model, they are exposed to all kinds of liability.

Frat Boys, Hazing, and a Level Playing Field

The cable guys' basic argument is "Hey, we had to
schmooz all of those local politicians. We had
to put up with local access. We had to give free
equipment to the schools, and, yeah, some of
these places made us hire some guy's wife in a
no-show job. We put up with all of that cr*p
because that's what you have to do to get a
local franchise. If the phone guys think that
they're going to get a free ride on this, then
they have another think coming."

While I'm not a big fan of the cable guys, they
are right on this one. The phone companies were
arrogant, and built out their video network with
the _assumption_ that they would get special
treatment.

The unfortunate thing is that the consumer is
getting hurt by all of this. Instead of
competition based on providing good service,
we have competition based on who has the best
lobbyists and lawyers. Not good.

Meanwhile, the phone guys are thinking up ways
to erect toll booths on the infobahn. They are
being stupid. Common carrier status provides
them with important legal protections. As soon
as they move towards a monopoly ISP business
model, they are exposed to all kinds of liability.

Frat Boys, Hazing, and a Level Playing Field

The cable guys' basic argument is "Hey, we had to
schmooze all of those local politicians. We had
to put up with local access. We had to give free
equipment to the schools, and, yeah, some of
these places made us hire some guy's wife in a
no-show job. We put up with all of that cr*p
because that's what you have to do to get a
local franchise. If the phone guys think that
they're going to get a free ride on this, then
they have another think coming."

While I'm not a big fan of the cable guys, they
are right on this one. The phone companies were
arrogant, and built out their video network with
the _assumption_ that they would get special
treatment.

The unfortunate thing is that the consumer is
getting hurt by all of this. Instead of
competition based on providing good service,
we have competition based on who has the best
lobbyists and lawyers. Not good.

Meanwhile, the phone guys are thinking up ways
to erect toll booths on the Infobahn. They are
being stupid. Common carrier status provides
them with important legal protections. As soon
as they move towards a monopoly ISP business
model, they are exposed to all kinds of liability.