The cable television bill (also referred to as the "AT&T bill") passed the State Senate yesterday, and is heading to Governor Blagojevich for a signature:
Lawmakers predicted cable TV viewers would get better service, more competitive rates—and even credits when a cable technician is tardy on service calls—under legislation the Senate sent to the governor Tuesday.
The proposal would make it easier for AT&T and other telecommunications companies to go up against cable operators in Illinois by streamlining a cumbersome franchising system that requires new TV service providers to seek town-by-town approval.
New customer service requirements were included in the legislation as part of the extensive negotiations between lawmakers and companies on both sides of the issue.
Cable operators would have to give customers a four-hour appointment window for service, and if a technician doesn't show up within that period, the customer automatically would get a $25 credit on his account. Currently, some customers have to wait eight to 12 hours for a technician, who sometimes never shows up, state officials said.
The bill would limit cable contracts to one year instead of two, giving consumers more flexibility.
"We are frankly thrilled by the service-quality standards that are in this bill," said David Kolata, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board, a public watchdog group.
I've bounced between cable and satellite since 1999 or so, and haven't ever been happy with either. Hopefully, a little competition will spur some improvements, especially in customer service and customer choices.
You may remember earlier this year, when AT&T came before the Champaign City Council, and their effort to enter this market as a provider were rebuffed, for very valid reasons. I don't know if this bill will completely eliminate the city from the franchising process, or if it just "streamlines" it.
Cable tv is so expensive these days I don't know why anybody would want it. The decent shows come out on DVD in a year anyways and you can watch all you want without commercial interruption for cheaper with an unlimited movie pass at most video stores or mail rentals. Internet news is so much more interesting also... you can dig beyond the sound bites and actually take more than a few seconds to get information about a story that interests you, at your leisure. Hopefully more TV programs will be offered free on-line as time progresses. Cable is so painfully expensive and outdated technology anymore.
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Glock21 Op/Ed
Why am I having a hard time envisioning AT&T spuring competition and improvements? Maybe it is an age/experience thing. Is this going to 'kill' the golden revenue stream from Insight to the cities of Champaign and Urbana?
Well, being one of the folks in the "unserved" areas that none of the local monopolies (Verizon, Mediacom in my case) have decided to roll out cable, broadband internet, etc. I'm not really looking forward to the local government having a say in the matter. Maybe without having to negotiate with the "locals" there will be better coverage and perhaps some actual competition, but... Maybe I'm just too cynical though...
Mediacom (cable, phone and internet) was down for six hours today in Mahomet. Trying to get through to them on the phone (cell) was a joke. Anything to help stimulate better service would be nice.
I get all my news from IP. It's about time we get some competition in cable its limited and more regulated then I like but it starts the ball rolling to greater change that's to come.