Governor Kaine Signs Cable Competition Bill
– Consumers get more options, localities retain controls –

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today signed legislation that fosters competition for cable operators and offers customers more choices for telecommunications services. The bill allows new entrants to negotiate agreements with localities to achieve a franchise to operate in existing markets.

The Cable Competition Act represents a compromise between telephone service providers and standard cable television service providers.

“Until now, Virginians did not have the opportunity to choose from a broad range of telecommunications service providers,” said Governor Kaine. “This landmark legislation offers more companies the opportunity to operate in areas that were not competitive in the past. This legislation is the result of an effective partnership between members of General Assembly, private business, and others to promote consumer choice, encourage innovation, and create jobs as cable providers make greater investment in the Commonwealth.”

The Governor was joined at the bill-signing by Delegates Morgan Griffith and Terry Kilgore and Senators Ken W. Stolle and Walter A. Stosch, the co-sponsors of the legislation.

The legislation will become effective on July 1, 2006. New entrants to a market will be able to begin selling services 75 days after initial negotiations are started with local authorizing regulators. It also leaves the authority to regulate cable service and control access to right-of-way in the hands of local governments.

In addition to certain protections for service providers and local governments, the new law also prohibits these new entrants from discriminating against customers based on income or area.

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