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AT&T secures a local franchise. Note the claim by Cathy Foraker with AT&T; "The rates for both providers tend to go down, as much as 25 percent."

from: The Morning News

Fayetteville, AT&T Reach TV deal
February 20, 2007
By Dug Begley
The Morning News

FAYETTEVILLE -- Letting your fingers do the walking in Fayetteville will soon include your remote.

Tuesday evening, the Fayetteville City Council approved a contract with AT&T to provide Internet-based television service in the city.

City Attorney Kit Williams said the agreement is similar to one the city has with Cox Communications. Williams also noted the contract guarantees AT&T will carry local educational, government and public access channels at its basic level of service.

He said the contract is similar to agreements AT&T has with other cities in Arkansas, such as Little Rock and Maumelle. Fort Smith also contracted with AT&T on Tuesday evening, Williams added.

Cathy Foraker with AT&T said the company will fund all necessary upgrades to deliver local channels via the Internet-based television service. She added competition in the area will benefit consumers.

"The rates for both providers tend to go down, as much as 25 percent," Foraker said.

The service, called Uverse, will transmit television channels to subscribers over the same lines delivering phone service to homes. Foraker said last month Fayetteville should have the service later this year.

Concerned citizens told the council that gives the city plenty of time to mull over the contract. Jim Bemis, a supporter of the local public access channel, said he worried the proposed contract was too vague.

"We have no firm assurance of really anything that they are offering," Bemis said.

Colleen Pancake, president of the Community Access Television board, said maintenance on the new equipment needed to work with AT&T should be covered.

"Our main concern at access is we're not killed somehow by some loophole," she said.