AT&T gets state permit to enter video market

By Emmett Berg, Bay City News Service

March 31, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - AT&T California was the second telephone carrier this month to receive a permit from the state Public Utilities Commission to offer video services including premium channels and Internet access.

At a meeting in San Francisco Friday, the California Public Utilities Commission announced intent to issue a state video service franchise to AT&T California. Earlier this month it issued a similar franchise to Verizon.

A state law passed last year created the statewide franchising process, which is meant to create competition for broadband and video services and force existing cable and satellite video services to offer better consumer value.

The new franchising system replaces some aspects of individual agreements between content providers and local governments. Bills will still be paid through local providers, for instance, and complaints handled through the local franchising authority.

Copyright © 2007 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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