Competition is good for businesses — and for consumers. As our editorial today argues, that’s the obvious reason to support a bill approved last week by the Kansas Senate that would establish a state franchising system to speed entry of TV competitors such as AT&T into state cable markets.
The city of Wichita and other local governments oppose the bill because it takes away their power to negotiate contracts directly with cable providers such as Cox Communications, which understandably wants to hold onto its near-monopoly. But cities would still receive fees, and Kansas consumers would benefit from a streamlined, statewide franchise system that should result in more video and communications offerings at lower costs.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
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11 Comments
Agree 100%!
Cities might receive fees, but without any say in franchising, then the City could lose out. Specifically as part of the current franchise agreement with Cox, the public libraries get free internet access. Would that continue with no franchising?
If not, how many people are going to scream at the City for not providing free internet access?
Rapt,Maybe, with competition, internet access will be cheap enough for the library to afford. If you think Cox is giving it to them for free, look at your cable bill!
TV is bad for your brain. Read a book!!!
Possible, Jed..but the idea of “maybe with competition internet access will be cheaper” isn’t reassuring.
It is entirely possible that we are helping subsidize free internet access at the libraries, but that is by my choice of subscribing to cable. Without franchise control, that free service could be interrupted.
Then, the screaming will begin, and it will be up to the City to pick up the tab.
Even our local govt. sells us out.
I cannot wait. I use AT&T for everything but cable. If they provide a better deal than Cox, I’m sold.
Raptor, relax.You don’t know how good it feels to be FOR something for a change!Cox will surely keep up the free internet…the bastards are going to need all the props they can get once AT&T comes.This bill really needs to be effective on publication in the state paper…this can’t come fast enough!Our station’s talks with AT&T have been nothing but positive…hope to have more details for you soon.In time, maybe Cox will do the decent thing…sell to a good company like Charter and get the hell outta Dodge..and Garden, and Manhattan, Junction City, Topeka and Wichita!As for the bastards on the 13th floor still there after Cherches sold out most of the city’s rights with Cox…maybe the city will lose enough money, they’ll have to fire some people.I nominate Gary Rebenstorf and Kathy Holderman to be the first two out.
Mr. Controversy,
I’m with you on Rebenstorf and Holderman. They do nothing for the city except take a paycheck. You might also want to include the city lobbyist Jeanne something. I have spoken with my legislator and the only time you see her is at a lunch with legislators or some reception. Most of the legislators don’t see her at all.
If the city really has some issues they are not being addressed but that is typical of the city and to think the new lobbyist got a pay increase on top of poor performance.
In regards to cable I say the free market is a good thing and companies that want to make it will continue to be good partners with their communities and support projects such as the internet at the library.
The response of municipalities is the most likely one. Grabbing taxes and controlling the spigot on those taxes always trumps the interests of citizens. Of course Cox can be counted on to oppose any competition. No monopoly wants that.
Kudos to the State Senate for not knuckling under to these special interests, and voting for what will most benefit all Kansans.
CruX,I would read a book, but with well over 3,000, I just don’t have room for more bookcases.