More Choices, Equal Access, Better Lives
The time has come to put consumers first for phone, cable, and Internet service in Pennsylvania.
For too long residents have dealt with skyrocketing cable TV prices, poor service quality, limited service coverage, and slow Internet speeds. Not only is that unfair -- it's bad for Pennsylvania's economy.
That can all change with the passage of the Consumer Choice Cable Franchise and High-Speed Broadband Promotion Act (HB1490). This important legislation streamlines the cumbersome process for companies to obtain the right, or "franchise," to offer cable TV service. That would create more TV, phone, and Internet competition -- lowering prices, expanding access, and boosting the economy for all Pennsylvanians.
Currently, the commonwealth relies on a patchwork cable franchise system, in which cable operators must negotiate separate deals with each and every "local franchise authority" where they want to offer service. There is virtually no oversight or regulation, meaning cable companies get to pick and choose which Pennsylvanians get access to cable services and which don't.
This leads to fewer service providers in most areas -- and no service in some parts of the state. It has also caused cable rates to skyrocket 93 percent over the past decade, while in a recent consumer research survey cable ranked last out of 44 industries in customer satisfaction.
The Consumer Choice Cable Franchise and High-Speed Broadband Promotion Act contains a number of important reforms that will fix this franchise system, protect Pennsylvania's communities, and make sure that all residents have fair and equal access to services, regardless of income or geography.
By streamlining the video franchise system, this bill will allow more companies to provide cable service, creating competition that will lower prices for Pennsylvanians. Studies show that when a second cable provider enters a market, consumers see an average rate decrease of 28 percent.
Moreover, this legislation protects Pennsylvania communities by imposing service quality standards, prohibiting providers from unilaterally canceling service agreements with local authorities, requiring increased infrastructure build-out in underserved areas, and implementing real oversight and accountability for the cable industry. It would also enhance public services in the state by offering free cable TV and Internet to police and fire stations, schools, libraries, and municipalities.
Finally, the Consumer Choice Cable Franchise and High-Speed Broadband Promotion Act would be a major boon to the Pennsylvania economy. All businesses need access to the most up-to-date communications technology, including high speed Internet. This new legislation would help expand these technologies to every corner of the commonwealth by requiring better collection of high speed Internet deployment data and mandating expanded access.
With these measures, this bill will help attract and retain businesses, create good jobs, and allow Pennsylvania to keep up with the fast-moving global economy of the 21st century.
The Consumer Choice Cable Franchise and High-Speed Broadband Promotion Act supports Pennsylvania consumers, communities, and businesses. Now it's your turn to show your support for this important legislation.
