The issue: The FCC's ruling to grease the wheels of telco expansion into the MVPD business. The new rules, they say, "will severely restrict the ability of local governments to protect their citizens, rights-of-way, community channels and public safety networks." The appeal was filed in the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati.
The group says that "…"local franchising authorities will be forced to rush franchising decisions without being given an opportunity to ensure the interests of the public, including safety concerns, are met."
The group is particularly concerned about widening the digital divide, presumably by making it tougher for locals to enforce build-out requirements. The FCC's ruling was branded with a tag the Commission may be familiar with, "arbitrary and capricious."
The groups participating in the proceeding include Alliance for Communications Democracy (ACD), Alliance for Community Media (ACM), National Association of Counties (NACo), National League of Cities (NLC), National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA), and The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM).
