If the Big Telecoms Have Their Way, Local Governments Lose

The Big Telecoms talk a good game. But don’t get bluffed!

They say they’re for competition and lower prices. But the truth is, the Big Telecoms just want a free ride.

For years, the Big Telecoms have spent billions to persuade Washington and state legislatures to strip local governments of control over local telecommunications issues.

Without local control, communities stand to lose telecommunications revenue that pays for public services like teachers and first responders.

They’re determined to reduce cable franchising fees, take control of local licensing issues, and change local telecommunications policies so they can reap unfair benefits. They’ve even gone so far as to sue communities that get in their way.

Don’t gamble with your community’s future

Without local control, consumers lose an advocate with the power to protect their rights and hold telecommunications companies responsible for their business practices.

Current industry-supported telecom tax legislation would erode state and local governments' tax base

Communities stand to lose telecommunications revenue that pays for public services like teachers and first responders. This means your local government may be forced to:

• Raise property taxes
  
  
• Raise sales taxes
  
  
• Cut jobs and programs

New FCC franchising rules give the Big Telecoms special regulatory treatment

The new FCC franchising rules stack the deck in favor of the Big Telecoms at the expense of local governments. Big Telecom will be able to:

• By-pass local franchising authorities
  
  
• Ignore well-established rules that protect consumers
  
  
• Disregard the proper maintenance and repair of public roads and sidewalks
  
  
• Limit their services to a select few

The Truth is, in the last two years, the Big Telecoms have been more than able to conduct business without the unfair regulatory and revenue changes they are insisting on now.

• Even Verizon’s CEO said it’s “never been denied a franchise”.
  
  
• Despite claiming that local governments are an obstacle, AT&T has had no problem signing deals throughout the West.