AT&T, Verizon and other entities with access to city-owned conduits—the electric company, perhaps?  —get a 90-day shot clock courtesy of the FCC. Chairman Kevin Martin finally got something he wanted after months of frustration on some other fronts, most notably the proposed AT&T-BellSouth merger, with today’s 3-2 commission vote along party lines on new franchise app rules. The idea is to spur competition by making it easier for the telcos and possibly others to get video rights from local franchise authorities. There’s also a lot of talk about leveling the playing fields but that’s a little tougher than the competition angle since cable companies didn’t get 90-day guarantees. The cablers’ next step: decide whether or not to go to court claiming inequity or some other ground.  As usual, Ted Hearn has the full 411.
Related: As The FCC Turns: McDowell Declines Right To Vote; AT&T-BellSouth Stalled
-- FCC’s Year-End Docket: Help Telcos With Video Rights But No Vote On ATT-BellSouth Merger