Missouri governor Matt Blunt has signed a new video franchising law that will give telcos easier entry into markets dominated by cable providers.
The bill makes the state the only franchising authority so cable providers no longer have to obtain permissions city-by-city.
"The legislation I signed today allows businesses to compete and creates competition for all companies that want to provide telecommunications and cable service,” Blunt said on Thursday. Senate Bill 284 also will provide more choice for consumers, he added.
The FTTH Council praised the bill’s passage, saying the law will bring next-generation networks to the Show Me State.
“Not only will this mean new choices for consumers and lower prices for home entertainment, but the resulting build-out of fiber to homes will help Missouri keep pace with the rapid growth of high-bandwidth internet applications and technologies,” said FTTH Council President Joe Savage.
FTTH Council www.ftthcouncil.org
