Court Clears Way For Cable Competition

CINCINNATI (AP) - A federal appeals court has upheld the Federal
Communications Commission's authority to make rules intended to
increase cable television competition.
Local governments had filed legal challenges to agency rules the
FCC said would speed the approval process for new competitors, cap
fees paid by new entrants to local governments and ease
requirements that competitors build systems that reach every home.
The lawsuits said the FCC overstepped its authority.
The lawsuits were consolidated in the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of
Appeals in Cincinnati.
A three-judge panel ruled unanimously Friday for the FCC. It
said the agency showed the local franchising process was
"unreasonably impeding competitive entry into the cable television
market."

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)