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from: Times Free Press

AT&T to push for franchise rights again
Wednesday, October 10, 2007

By Dave Flessner and Jason M. Reynolds
Staff Writers

Phone giant AT&T plans to mount a second legislative attempt in January to gain statewide franchising authority to add video services across Tennessee, an executive said today.

"This bill is about competition," said Gregg Morton, AT&T's Tennessee president.

AT&T Corp. last year unsuccessfully lobbied the Tennessee Legislature for statewide franchising authority so the company wouldn't have to seek franchises from each of Tennessee's local governments. The cable industry and local governments fought the move last year.

If AT&T succeeds in its legislative push this time, the company could begin serving Tennessee residents with video in mid-2009, starting in areas that currently have AT&T broadband Internet service, Mr. Morton said. AT&T would spend an estimated $350 million to upgrade its telecommunications system, he said.

E-mail Dave Flessner at dflessner@timesfreepress.com

E-mail Jason M. Reynolds at jreynolds@timesfreepress.com