In an expected move, the FCC approved of a plan that would ease the burden on companies to compet in the subscription TV business. Telcos like AT&T (T) and Verizon Communications (VZ) will now have a time limit put upon local governments to act on the applications of the companies.
Included in the new regulations will be getting rid of local governments shaking down of companies by requiring them to build all sorts of unrelated projects in return for faster access. It's about time these shady dealings were confronted. The FCC was kind in calling these shakedowns "unreasonable."
Kevin Martin, the FCC Chairman said that the new rules will empower consumers by 
giving Americans a better chance at getting high-speed Internet access while bringing competitive pressures on pricing. That's the real reason it was opposed by the cable companies.
The ruling gives local governments 90 days to respond to company applications if the new television providers have existing access to city land. They have 180 days to respond if the new applicants don't have existing access.
State governments such as Texas and California already have law in place that allow telephone companies to get statewide licenses based upon the condition that they pay for the usage of public rights-of-way like the cable companies do.
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