Re: But can they? in http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r10250111 en Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:55:45 EDT Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:55:45 EDT Re: But can they? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10253675 hottboiinnc : There is a large company that is the gas provider from what I understand. But as long as the city has the no-dig law in place nobody is allowed to dig where those lines are located. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10253675 Sun, 16 May 2004 02:51:34 EDT Re: But can they? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10251923 jap : If the city owns the infrastructure then they have increased clout by virtue of controlling distribution access. But if competitors want to find another way in then a muni govt cannot easily tell it's residents they cannot buy it.

Usually the infras were developed under monopolies (bells, high-voltage) controlled by state PUCs - not local munis. Those infra (the poles being critical, of course) continue to be under de-regulation influences - so it does vary regionally. In all cases, however, non-compete clauses are time limited - they don't go on indefinitely.

You say "it also keeps problems with cutting cables and gas lines up. That's why Duluth does it." Well, ...achem..., maybe. It also may be because the local faux monopoly has bought-off town hall. Sorry for my hard-bitten NE cynicism but I left the upper mid-west many, many years ago.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10251923 Sat, 15 May 2004 21:11:04 EDT Re: But can they? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10251701 hottboiinnc : How can they be special cases?

Many cities only allow one company for everything.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10251701 Sat, 15 May 2004 20:43:25 EDT Re: But can they? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10251694 hottboiinnc : I didnt suggest that Duluth is in the right. But it also keeps problems with cutting cables and gas lines up. Thats why Duluth does it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10251694 Sat, 15 May 2004 20:42:44 EDT Re: But can they? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10250557 jap :
said by Jeremy341 See Profile:
Those are special cases, and my response still stands.
Agreed. That hottboiinnc See Profile says "Duluth pays an anti-trust fine every year" but suggests that Duluth is still "in the right" seems to defy logic. Here, and I'm sure most places, the owners of not only the poles but any related infrastructure (switch-housings, buried conduit, etcetera) must lease space to all comers if that infra was built under PUC review & co-ordination - which nearly all of it was.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10250557 Sat, 15 May 2004 17:45:34 EDT Re: But can they? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10250148 Jeremy341 : Those are special cases, and my response still stands.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10250148 Sat, 15 May 2004 16:47:43 EDT Re: But can they? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10250111 hottboiinnc : NOT TRUE!

Many cities still have them and are allowed to have them.

As long as the company is are "grand fathered" in the government won't buge especially if its a local cable company.

The city i live in had this. TWC tried for years to get in even tried to sue but it was thrown out of court. but the local company ended up selling to TWC so now we got them.

Also cities can stop companies for using their poles if they own them and pass laws to stop people and companies from digging like they have done in Duluth MN.

Pass laws that say companies can not use the poles on streets and dig holes to put in cable and you have it made.

Duluth pays an anti-trust fine every year but its not as near as what they'd lose if they'd let other companies come in with services they stop like Gas and other services that use cable under the ground :)

Also i have a friend that lives there.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10250111 Sat, 15 May 2004 16:42:40 EDT Re: But can they? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10249736 Jeremy341 :
said by handydave See Profile:
Don't towns have to sign a 5-10 year exclusive contracts with cable companies that don't allow them to bring in competing services?
Nope, exclusivity agreements are illegal.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10249736 Sat, 15 May 2004 15:37:39 EDT But can they? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10249716 handydave : Don't towns have to sign a 5-10 year exclusive contracts with cable companies that don't allow them to bring in competing services? If so, isn't it going to be hard for Verizon to break in? I don't like Verizon, but would love some competition in my town. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10249716 Sat, 15 May 2004 15:33:37 EDT