competitive broadband and cable providers: legal and regulatory considerations presented by: kenneth...
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Competitive Broadband and Cable Providers: Legal and Regulatory
Considerations
Presented by:Kenneth S. Fellman, Vice-President
Kissinger & Fellman, P.C.Denver, Coloradowww.kandf.com
NATOA Litigation & Regulation Seminar
Washington, D.C.March 24, 2006
I. Negotiating with Qwest – a different perspective
Disclaimer: we’re in negotiations now
Some different issues than Verizon and AT&T Financial Initially planning to obtain franchises in
limited number of market areas
II. Where We Started
“We’ll agree to whatever the incumbent is obligated to in its franchise… ....except build out”
Incumbent Level Playing Field language in metro Denver franchisesNew franchises must be comparable – no
more favorable or less burdensome when viewed as a whole
II. Where We Started (cont.)
Problem: if the competitive agreement is different, but we think it’s comparable, we still might get sued
Solution: indemnification from QwestQwest has previously agreed to this in
another metro Denver competitive agreement
III. The Elephant in the Room
Build OutQwest’s position based in large part on its
prior experiences renegotiating in the Phoenix markets
“If we aren’t 100% convinced we can do it, we won’t agree to it in a franchise.”
Promise (threat?) to go elsewhere if LFAs insist on build out
III. The Elephant (Cont.)
Who will welcome you without a build out requirement?
Salt Lake City Faux build outOnce Qwest gets 51% of the market, it
has the obligation to upgrade its system in order to offer services to everyone in the City.
III. The Elephant (Cont.)
In a market that already has an incumbent cable operator and two satellite companies, Qwest will reach a 51% market share when: ____________________________________
(you fill in the blank)
IV. Getting Over the Build Out Hurdle
Are there any creative ways to address build out?
Build Out “Lite”Tastes lousyUn-fullfilling
IV. Getting Over the Build Out Hurdle (cont.)
Options to ConsiderDefined franchise term; no build out
requirement; if not satisfied with deployment at term end – build out schedule in renewal franchise will not be challenged
Short term franchise with automatic extensions if % coverage met
Others?
V. Level Playing Field Concerns and Suggestions
Without Build Out, how do you make the franchise comparable?
What are your PEG opportunities?Equipment upgrades Interconnection issuesVideo on DemandVideo Streaming
V. Level Playing Field Concerns and Suggestions (Cont.)
Unbundling language
PEG fees on total number of units served in MDUs
Violations/Remedies provisions
Financial issuesGAAPAudits
V. Level Playing Field Concerns and Suggestions (Cont.)
If no build out, or “build out lite” might be acceptable in your community:Examine incumbent franchise -- what
would you do to improve it?Review your PEG and I-Net operations --
are there ways to expand and enhance programming and services?
Questions