CONSUMERS FIRST! Focuses on Benefits to Consumers from Cable Competition

CONSUMERS FIRST! Focuses on Benefits to Consumers from Cable Competition

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers will be the beneficiaries of cable competition in Pennsylvania, and that's exactly the way it should be, according to Dr. David R. Wright, founder and president of the CONSUMERS FIRST. The statewide coalition advocates competition and choice in telecommunication services.

"So far, much of the cable choice debate has focused on what's good for the cable companies or the phone companies or the municipalities. Elected officials need to focus on what's good for the consumers -- their constituents -- who pay the bills," noted Wright, a former legislator from Clarion County. "Experience has repeatedly demonstrated that competition reduces costs, improves service and encourages innovation."

As members of the House Consumer Affairs Committee noted at a public hearing in Pittsburgh last week, the proposed legislation protects municipal control of rights-of-way. It also maintains franchise fees paid to local governments of up to 5 percent of gross revenues.

"These protections allow local and state-level officials to support legislation that would streamline the cable franchise process, paving the way for lower bills for consumers. The monopoly status quo keeps rates artificially high," Wright added. "If you don't think that competition makes a difference, just take a look at your cable bill. The average cable bill has risen about 86 percent in the past decade in a monopoly environment. Over the same time, the wireless phone rates and long-distance phone rates have dropped dramatically. That's the beauty of competition. Other states have seen cable rates fall by 24 to 42 percent when competition came to town."

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT http://www.paconsumersfirst.com/.

Website: http://www.PaConsumersFirst.com

Source: CONSUMERS FIRST!

CONTACT: Bonnie McCarthy, CONSUMERS FIRST!, +1-717-319-7721

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