Panel Votes to Make Cable Firms Open High-Speed Lines
Acting on a matter that has attracted national attention, a City Council committee voted Wednesday to require any cable company that wants its franchise renewed to open its high-speed cable lines to firms providing Internet services.
That approach is hotly opposed by many cable companies, who see it as an unnecessary and burdensome government regulation that ultimately will hurt consumers. After Wednesday’s vote, Perry Parks, a vice president of MediaOne, said city officials would be better off letting the market work to create competition, rather than trying to mandate it.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. June 9, 2000 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Friday June 9, 2000 Home Edition Metro Part B Page 3 Metro Desk 1 inches; 33 words Type of Material: Correction
Internet access--An item in Thursday’s Times misstated the affiliation of George Kieffer, a lawyer and lobbyist involved in the debate over Internet access using cable lines. Kieffer’s client in that matter is GTE, not Pacific Bell.
But advocates of so-called “open access” also turned out in force for the hearing, and afterward cheered the vote.
George Kieffer, a lobbyist and lawyer who represents Pacific Bell, called the proposal a “methodical, thoughtful job.” Under the proposal considered Wednesday, the cable companies would have to open their lines by 2002, when their franchises with the city expire.
City Councilman Alex Padilla sponsored the measure, which could go to the full council for consideration as early as next week. He was joined Wednesday by Councilwoman Laura Chick. Voting against them was Councilman Rudy Svorinich.
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