C4CC Congratulates Californians on Cable Competition Law; Launches Drive to Remind U.S. Senate that All Consumers Want Cable Choice

C4CC Congratulates Californians on Cable Competition Law; Launches Drive to Remind U.S. Senate that All Consumers Want Cable Choice

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers for Cable Choice (C4CC) today thanked Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for putting California consumer needs on the front burner and signing into law a bill that encourages competition in the cable television industry.

The national advocacy group also launched a pledge drive to prompt the U.S. Senate to take the same kind of consumer-friendly action with its own pot of simmering federal cable legislation.

"This is great news for California consumers," said Jim Conran, C4CC executive director, predicting cost savings will begin as soon as competitive providers start signaling interest in the West Coast market.

California is the 8th state in the union to embrace the benefits of competition by updating cable laws to eliminate barriers to competition. Under the new law, companies wanting to enter the cable television market can seek one, statewide authorization to serve throughout the state rather than having to negotiate separate agreements with each city and town.

"While I'm excited at the consumer possibilities this law offers my fellow Californians, our job isn't finished," Conran said. "The U.S. Senate has back-burnered legislation that could extend consumer benefits to the rest of America. We need our senators to make cable savings a national priority."

Conran said any doubts about the positive consumer effects of competition in the marketplace should be put to rest once competition takes root in California.

"Consumers here are poised to save $852 million a year thanks to competitive market pressure," he said. "Every American deserves this same opportunity."

Conran urged all American consumers -- even those in states where the welcome mat is already out to competition -- to visit http://www.consumers4choice.org/, sign the C4CC pledge to fight for cable choice and tell the Senate they want competitive choice.

"Consumers already understand that when cable companies compete, customers win," Conran said. "Our senators need to be reminded."

About Consumers for Cable Choice, Inc.

C4CC is a national alliance of consumer advocacy groups, private citizens -- including hundreds of Californians -- who are committed to promoting maximum choice for consumers in cable, video and broadband services. Conran has been advocating for policies that benefit residential and small business consumers for more than 20 years.

Media contact:

Jim Conran
925-253-1937
consumersfirst@pacbell.net

Source: Consumers for Cable Choice

CONTACT: Jim Conran, +1-925-253-1937, consumersfirst@pacbell.net, for
Consumers for Cable Choice

Web site: http://www.consumers4choice.org/

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