What They're Saying

Verizon takes the battle to Beacon Hill
By Zac Cummings, Correspondent, Eagle-Tribune | June 17, 2007

A bill sponsored by Verizon has stirred up a bitter battle throughout Massachusetts.

The bill, called the Massachusetts Cable Choice and Competition Act, would allow the state to decide whether a cable company can enter a Massachusetts community. As the law stands, each community has the power to negotiate its own deal with cable companies.

If the bill were passed, the state would have 15 days to approve a cable company's licensing application. If the state didn't approve the application within that time, the cable company would be allowed to move into a community without negotiating prices.

The Massachusetts Consumers for Technology and Cable Choice, led by former Brockton Mayor Jack T. Yunits Jr., argues the bill would promote cable competition, thereby lowering prices for consumers and creating more jobs.

"One of the fundamental concepts of our economy is that consumers should have choices," Yunits said.

Many others oppose the bill, saying the law already works well for everyone, including Verizon.

The proposed law would take away communities' right to negotiate on behalf of their residents, said Cort Boulanger, a representative of Keep It Local Massachusetts, a coalition of bill opponents.

Verizon said it takes a burdensome 15 months to obtain most permits; Boulanger said it takes four months.

Pat Mikes of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, which opposes the bill, said Verizon failed to make a case for the bill at a June 5 hearing held by the Legislature's Joint Committee on Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy.

"You could see the state representatives and senators throw their hands up and say, 'What's the problem?'" Mikes said.

The bill's future is unclear. Rep. Brian Dempsey, a Haverhill Democrat and chairman of the telecommunications committee, said there's enough disagreement that he's considering creating a special committee to study the subject.