Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : LAST MILE TECHNOLOGIES - Let's Discuss Them Here -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Frank A. Coluccio who wrote (4770)	7/20/1999 9:37:00 PM
From: Kenneth E. Phillipps	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 12823

Comcast Cablevision Challenges Broward County Internet Ordinance in Federal Court Action PR Newswire - July 20, 1999 18:32 PHILADELPHIA, July 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Comcast Cablevision of Broward County, Inc. has today filed suit against Broward County, Florida, challenging the County's authority to impose new regulations on the provision of high-speed Internet services by cable system operators. The complaint against Broward County was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Advocate Communications, Inc. (which operates as Advanced Cable Communications in Broward County)joined Comcast Cablevision in the complaint. On July 13, the commissioners of Broward County adopted an ordinance to impose new regulations on any cable company that provides high-speed Internet access in the County. "We were compelled to challenge Broward County's decision to regulate cable's high-speed Internet services because it runs contrary to law and to national policy -- framed by Congress and endorsed by the Federal Communications Commission -- that favors less regulation and more competition in the offering of advanced services," said Joe Waz, vice president, external affairs and public policy counsel, Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSK, CMCSA). In the complaint, Comcast alleges that Broward County has violated the federal Communications Act by inserting unlawful requirements in the company's cable franchise agreement. Comcast also alleges that the Broward County ordinance is unconstitutional, a violation of due process, and void for vagueness. "Our goal in bringing this challenge to the Broward County ordinance is to ensure our ability to invest and bring new high-speed Internet services to local communities," Waz said. "There is nothing pro-competitive about this ordinance. That should be evident from the fact that the primary party lobbying for the ordinance is GTE, which has every interest in slowing down new broadband and telephone competition from companies like Comcast." Comcast Cablevision currently serves approximately 16,500 cable customers in unincorporated areas of Broward County. Comcast does not currently offer high-speed Internet services in that area. Advanced serves approximately 47,000 customers in the County, and currently offers a high-speed Internet service called the ISP Channel as an optional premium cable service. Comcast Corporation (www.comcast.com) is principally engaged in the development, management and operation of broadband cable networks and in the provision of content through principal ownership of QVC, Comcast-Spectacor and Comcast SportsNet, a controlling interest in E! Entertainment Television and through other programming investments. Comcast's Class A Special Common Stock and Class A Common Stock are traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbols CMCSK and CMCSA, respectively. SOURCE Comcast Corporation /CONTACT: Joe Waz, 215-981-7607 or Bill Goetz (in Florida), 561-227-1020, both of Comcast/ /Web site: comcast.com / (CMCSK CMCSA) Headlines Previous Story Next Story CMCSK CMCSA %ENT %TLS %MLM %LAW V%PRN P%PRN