News

PA bill would improve, expand service

Improved high speed Internet access in Pennsylvania is getting closer to becoming a reality.

The Pennsylvania legislature is currently considering a bill -- The Consumer Choice Cable Franchising and High-Speed Broadband Promotion Act (HB 1490) -- that would bolster cable competition throughout the commonwealth, lowering prices for consumers and giving them more options for phone, TV, and Internet services.

CWA's District 13 has been building a coalition of city governments, consumer groups, labor and other groups to promote the legislation and is urging citizens to contact state lawmakers by going to a campaign website and sending e-mails urging support for the cable choice bill.  "Far too many of our fellow citizens have been left behind in the information age and this bill would be a huge step toward closing the digital divide," said Vice President Jim Short.

Earlier this week, CWA economist Debbie Goldman testified at a hearing before the House Consumer Affairs Committee, describing the problems with the current cable TV franchising system and the troubles it is causing for consumers across the state.  She pointed out that a number of states already have passed measures to ensure that residents, communities and business have access to new Internet applications and other technological changes that have come about through true high speed broadband.  These include upgraded communications for emergency responders and municipalities, tele-medicine, distance learning, participation in government and civic affairs, and particularly, economic growth and jobs, she noted.

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.

HB 1490 would create a more streamlined, statewide process for companies to obtain the right to offer cable television services, spurring competition throughout the state. In addition, those companies that qualify for a statewide franchise will be required to meet minimum buildout standards for high speed Internet access to residents and businesses.  The bill provides for mapping of broadband deployment across the state and calls for a process of consumer advocacy for the first time over cable services such as Internet, video programming and VoIP.

Faster Internet buildout would help people like Norman Stanton:

Norman Stanton of Halifax wants to dump dial-up internet service because his wife is taking online college courses. "Every time she starts her homework," says Stanton, "You're knocked off the dial-up. So we have to have a high-speed internet." Stanton ordered Comcast high speed internet more than month ago. He got a bill but getting his high speed installed has been slow. "Every time you call you talk to somebody different," says Stanton. "And nobody knows what the other one said."

Under this new legislation, Norman would likely have more high speed Internet service providers to choose from.

This kind of reform is critical to support the build-out of true high speed networks -- which are essential to Pennsylvania's economic growth and allowing residents to take advantage of telemedicine, distance learning, online government services, emergency communications, and much more.

To learn more about the Consumer Choice Cable Franchising and High-Speed Broadband Promotion Act, watch this video from Harrisburg's CBS 21 News.

HB 1490: The Consumer Choice Cable Franchising and High-Speed Broadband Promotion Act

Testimony of Debbie Goldman on HB 1490

Cable TV Oversight Could Shift to State (ABC 27 - WHTM)

More Choices for Cable TV? (CBS 21 - WHP)

Choice for Pennsylvania (Speed Matters)