Tennessee Franchising Bill Aims To Extend Broadband Services

Tennessee is considering a state franchising bill which contains broad build-out language. Large telephone companies that become video providers must deliver that service to 30% of their existing service area within 3 1/2 years. But those companies can decrease the number of homes which get video if they deploy broadband services to areas that don't currently have such services, or areas that are determined to be undeserved. According to the current version of the bill, local governments may also subsidize broadband deployment, if the Tennessee Regulatory Authority determines that there is no interest in the private sector to build plant locally. The proposal would assign franchising authority to the TRA, which would approve 10-year franchises.
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