Comcast Applies for Statewide Ind. Franchises
By Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 11/6/2006 12:30:00 PM
A total of 13 Comcast business units applied for state franchises in Indiana under the new regulatory scheme approved by the state legislature earlier this year.
Those business units represent all of Comcast’s systems in the state. If the applications, submitted Oct. 30, are complete, the state Utility Regulatory Commission could respond to them by Nov. 25.
“During the debate on cable franchising, Comcast’s primary goal was to ensure a level playing field in the marketplace,” Comcast regional vice president of communications and public affairs Mark Apple said in a prepared statement.
“A level playing field would allow us to continue to deliver innovative entertainment and communications services to Indiana consumers,” he added. “Under the new state regulatory framework, applying for a state-issued cable franchise offers us the best opportunity to maintain a level playing field and build on our track record of innovation.”
Comcast is only the latest incumbent operator to apply for state operating oversight with the Indiana URC. Two Time Warner business units -- Time Warner Entertainment and Time Warner Fanch-one -- also filed Oct. 27. And three Charter Communications units filed Oct. 3. The applications for those two MSOs are pending.
Two phone companies were quickest to apply, and those have been already granted. The Daviess-Martin rural telco applied in August, and it was granted a state franchise in mid-September. AT&T Indiana was the first applicant. The telco applied Aug. 8 and got its authority the end of that month.
But unlike the other applicants, including the rural telco, the cities and counties to be served by AT&T are not listed by the IURC. According to the agency, AT&T will serve “certain areas" within its existing local exchange. Specific service area details "have been deemed confidential by the IURC," according to the agency.
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