Chalk one up for the consumers! Read all about it at Boston.com
The FCC voted in October 2007 to cancel exclusive agreements between cable companies and apartment owners, opening the way for competition from other service providers. The National Cable & Telecommunications Association (i.e. COMCAST) appealed, saying the agency had exceeded its authority.
Yesterday, the US Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the FCC. The FCC rule bars cable companies from enforcing current exclusive-access deals, or making new ones, in residential buildings such as apartment houses and condominiums. There it is folks! If you live in an apartment or condo and have been stuck with Comcast because that is who the Property Management company signed up with, you now have the GREEN LIGHT to shop for an alternate provider!
“Contracts helped building owners get lower prices and better service (HA HA HA) from cable companies”, said Betsy Feigin Befus, a vice president with the National Multi Housing Council, a Washington-based trade group representing the apartment industry (who is obviously in Comcast’s pocket) that took part in the case. “The FCC took away an important incentive for cable firms to negotiate.”
Betsy Befus been BEAT! She better begin belting down Bailey’s at the bar. Bigger bucks from Comcast’s “Back-Slapping” budget wont budge Big Brother. Bye-Bye b-b-b-Betsy.
