Congress threatens to stifle TV-over-fiber plans [econ]

http://news.com.com/2100-1033_3-5678536.html

Bells' fiber plans spark political flame war
April 20, 2005, 2:19 PM PDT

Verizon Communications and SBC Communications' plans to wire American 
homes with high-speed fiber connections may encounter regulatory 
roadblocks, members of Congress suggested Wednesday.

Both companies are spending billions on fiber links that can carry 
everything from Internet service to voice and video. Verizon's Fios 
service already boasts speeds of up to 30 megabits per second with a 
digital TV package expected later this year. SBC's similar Lightspeed 
service is supposed to be available no later than early 2006.

These forays into digital TV are alarming television broadcasters and 
some cable companies, which view fiber service as a competitive threat. 
This week, for instance, Verizon announced that it plans to carry all of 
NBC Universal's channels on Fios TV.

The emerging dispute over digital TV effectively opens up a new 
political front in an already bitter war between the Bells and cable 
companies for high-speed Internet customers.

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