摘要：In the name of increasing competition in the cable television market, Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996. While this eliminated the barriers to entry using federal law, it did not change the nature of municipality-based cable system monopolies. In an effort to expand competition more quickly and efficiently, the phone companies (Verizon and AT&T) successfully supported legislation in at least twenty-five states that permits a single state application to compete statewide. This Note explores the varying approaches taken in the laws passed to date, analyzes the outcomes flowing from those implemented plans, and provides recommendations of the best practices for states considering a revision to an existing law or the passage of a new statewide cable franchise bill.
关键词：Statewide Cable Franchising; National Cable Television Regulation; Communications Act of 1996; Cable Franchise Reform; Competition
