New Coalition of Concerned Pennsylvanians Bands Together to Keep It Local in PA! - Video Available

New Coalition of Concerned Pennsylvanians Bands Together to Keep It Local in PA! - Video Available

Hundreds of Local Leaders Join 'Keep It Local PA' Coalition to Protect Pennsylvania Against Statewide Franchising

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Local elected officials, community organizations and Pennsylvania residents have joined together with the Broadband Cable Association of Pennsylvania and its member companies to form Keep It Local PA, a new coalition created to protect consumers, communities and municipalities from a statewide franchising push led by the powerful telephone companies.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/keepitlocalpa/25564/

The coalition's goal is to ensure that municipal leaders continue to be able to negotiate franchise agreements that meet their respective local needs and those of their constituents. The one-size-fits-all approach proposed by Verizon is dangerous and will not protect consumers or communities in areas of public safety, rights of way and other important local issues. Verizon's proposed legislation would strip local communities of their ability to protect their residents and allow for discrimination against consumers in areas deemed "less desirable" by the telephone company, rather than guarantee delivery of services to all areas. As of today, more than 220 Pennsylvania municipalities publicly oppose the legislation.

"Simply put, legislation to create a statewide cable franchise is completely unnecessary," said Ben Eckerson, a spokesperson for the coalition. "The current local franchising process works extremely well, protecting the interests of consumers, communities and local municipalities. In no way does it pose any barrier to continued and increased competition."

One of the coalition's key concerns is that under the current proposed bill, Verizon is not planning to offer its new service to consumers in urban, rural or lower-income communities any time in the near future. Build-out schedules in these areas are either non-existent or not planned for several years down the line. Eckerson noted, "If Verizon receives a statewide franchise, it will eliminate consumer protections, strip Pennsylvania municipalities of their important role in the local franchise process, and all but guarantee discriminatory deployment."

"It is in the public's best interest that they know of Verizon's plans, or current lack of plans, for a statewide build-out schedule of its video services," said Ann Simonetti, President of the West Shore Council of Governments. "It has been one year since we first invited Verizon to negotiate with us. It is evident that Verizon is concentrating the build-out of its video service in affluent suburbs only and has no working timeline as to when it will be offered in most of Pennsylvania's other communities."

Today, under current law, Verizon has already received 35 local cable franchises and has reached agreements with consortia representing more than 100. Most have been received in less than 90 days. In fact, Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg was quoted in a September 2005 Business Week Online report as saying, "We haven't been turned down anywhere we've gone."

"The only thing preventing Verizon from competing today is Verizon itself," said Eckerson. "Where they have sought local franchise agreements, they have received them quickly and fairly. If they spent more time applying for franchises and less time lobbying for unneeded legislation, they could be providing service to Pennsylvanians today."

The current local cable franchising system ensures that the latest broadband cable technologies are made available to all residents in communities across Pennsylvania. It also allows new providers to enter the cable market on fair and equal terms.

"The ability to negotiate cable franchise agreements at the municipal level enables borough officials to fulfill the public trust by protecting the interests of their communities," said Ed Troxell, Director of Government Affairs for the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs. "PSAB has gone on record to state that 'locally negotiated franchise agreements confirm standards of customer response, responsible care for taxpayer-funded right-of- ways and infrastructure such as sidewalks, streets and sewer lines as well as the provision of educational and governmental service channels. Borough officials understand and support their citizens' desires for better programming and services at lower prices. However, they do not want potholes in their roads, water breaks during rush hour, or gas leaks as a consequence. In all, local franchise agreements are the true way for cheaper, safer cable today throughout the Commonwealth. It protects consumers, guarantees customers and preserves taxpayer investment.'"

Consumers interested in learning more about the Keep It Local PA coalition and the risks of Senate Bill 1247 and House Bill 2880, can visit http://www.keepitlocalpa.com/ or call 717-914-1811.

Keep It Local PA is a growing coalition of concerned Keystone State citizens including local elected officials, community organizations and residents working in partnership with the Broadband Cable Association of Pennsylvania to ensure equal access and fairness in the delivery of cable television service across the Commonwealth. Keep It Local PA's mission is to educate those who will be affected by the phone company's efforts to convince the State Legislature to pass special-interest legislation that would short- change Pennsylvanians.

Video: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/keepitlocalpa/25564
Source: Keep It Local PA

CONTACT: Ben Eckerson for Keep It Local PA, +1-717-232-5554 - office,
+1-717-512-5023 - cell

Web site: http://www.keepitlocalpa.com/

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