Most people aren't paying attention to this. I think it's going to be a big deal, but I have no clue how it's going to turn out:
Indiana started taking applications Monday for statewide video franchises, upending the decades-old system by which each locality decided which cable company or companies could operate on its turf.
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission is prepared to grant franchises within 15 days to companies that apply, according to Mary Beth Fisher, an IURC spokeswoman. Applicants are expected to run the gamut from national telecom giants like AT&T to local providers that operate in only one or two counties.
Those in the industry say this will result in more choices for consumers. Consumer groups say it will allow the telecom giants to drive smaller competitors out of business. Beats me.
I've never been crazy about the exclusive local cable franchises, which turned cable operations into government-approved monopolies. Technology has pretty much invalidated the reason for the franchises, that no company would make the necessary infrastructure investments without a guaranteed, exclusive territory. It seems to me that with cable, satellite operations and the growing number of content providers such as the cell-phone companies, we already have a lot of choices.
My instincts tell me to worry about replacing local franchises with state ones, but we shall see.
