Quote:
Originally Posted by P-3 Guy
The franchise agreements with each city or town only cover cable TV services; they do not regulate activities as an internet service provider. The phone services provided, as voice over internet protocol, are only a byproduct of having internet service available, and as you point out the obligations required of old-fashioned telcos do not apply. My understanding is that the lease agreements for hanging cable on the utility poles are with the pole owners, typically the electric or phone company and not the municipality, meaning that a lapsed franchise agreement between the cable TV provider and the municipality that only governs the provision of cable TV services will not ordinarily mean the end of ISP activities.
|
Tell the NHPUC that and they will disagree with you. Video service is Breezeline's primary service and the Internet and phone services are ancillary. Even though Internet and phone services are not part of the franchise agreements, they are dependent upon the video infrastructure and the franchise agreements require the cable MSO to remove their equipment if the franchise ends. No equipment, no services.