Connecticut Governor Rell Signs Cable TV Bill

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July 12, 2007 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell has signed a bill that provides a regulatory framework to boost competition in the state’s cable television market, saying the new law will result in better customer service, lower prices, new investments and new jobs.

The bill, An Act Concerning Certified Competitive Video Service, is effective October 1. The Governor signed the bill on July 11.

“Bring on the competition,” Governor Rell said. “Connecticut consumers deserve a choice in deciding what firm will provide their television programming. Year after year, Connecticut residents have seen their monthly cable rates steadily climbing higher and higher. It is long past time we do something about that, and I am happy to sign this bill.

“An injection of healthy competition into this market will benefit consumers in the long run. Competition should result in better service and more reasonable rates, and states that have passed similar bills are measuring the success in thousands of new jobs.”

Passage of a similar bill in Texas brought nearly $1 billion in new investments.

“In Connecticut, we want to create an environment that breeds innovation. This new law will do just that and challenge the cable industry and other competitors to foster a culture of creativity. Once that happens, we will all be the winners.”

The Governor said that consumers deserve the opportunity to choose from multiple video service providers and to select from a wider range of pricing options in order to design the video experience that best suits their needs.

Under the new law, new companies providing video services must be certified by the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC). They will be subject to most of the service and state tax requirements now placed on cable companies, including community access and customer information standards.

Source: Connecticut Governor