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from: Citizen's Voice

Eachus proposal could bring broadband to all Pa. residents

BY JILL WHALEN
STAFF WRITER
08/20/2007

State Rep. Todd Eachus has introduced legislation that seeks to provide high-speed Internet access to all residents of Pennsylvania.

Eachus, D-Butler Township, said while it’s uncommon nowadays, there are still some “nooks and crannies” in his district and throughout the commonwealth where high speed Internet access, or broadband, is not available.

But through the Consumer Choice Cable Franchising and High Speed Broadband Promotion Act, cable companies would be required to provide service to those areas.

“It’s essential for classrooms, hospitals and libraries,” Eachus said.

Cable company Metrocast serves Foster Township, where cable lines can’t reach some remote areas. David Kaye, who handles construction for Metrocast, said the company does its best “to accommodate the consumers as best as we can” when it comes to high-speed access.

But it does follow a policy regarding where the services are made available.

“There has to be so many homes for each mile,” he said.

For example, the cable company won’t run 2 miles of cable to a single home — at least not on its own dime. It wouldn’t be financially feasible, he said.

As for the legislation, Eachus said it would be in line with the commonwealth’s Classrooms for the Future initiative, which would provide computers for every high school student.

The introduction of broadband to “new” areas would also help foster economic development. Eachus said he wants to see a deadline for those services.

The bill also targets other areas of the cable industry.

Eachus said consumers would be protected under the legislation, which would create a statewide cable television franchise law and give oversight of the industry to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

While telephone service has traditionally been regulated by the PUC, Eachus said the Federal Communications Commission regulates wireless communications. Cable television is unregulated.

“Cable television must be regulated to protect its consumers,” he said.

The only choice consumers have, he said, is to call the cable company if a problem arises. With such an unregulated system, he said, consumers are at the mercy of the cable company. Under the legislation, they would be offered an independent arbitrator.

Eachus also noted the legislation would give consumers the ability to choose a cable television provider.

By giving consumers a choice, he said, cable companies might be spurred to be competitive with prices, services and programming.

The legislation was referred to the House Consumer Affairs Committee for public hearings and study, Eachus said.

jillwhalen@standardspeaker.com, 570-455-3636