The telecommunications bill that previously failed in Texas has been passed by the House and Senate in a special session. The bill will allow telephone companies the ability to obtain a state-wide franchise agreement rather than many municipality agreements to enable delivery of Internet Protocol TV (IPTV). The bill now awaits final approval by Texas Governor Rick Perry.

"All Texans should be proud that our state is the first in the nation to open up the video market so that consumers can have a choice of video providers. Consumer choice and competition among video providers will result in new and innovative services and better pricing, " said Verizon Southwest Region President Steve Banta.

Banta went on to say, "We are excited about the opportunities we now have to offer FiOS TV services to customers we serve in Texas. FiOS TV, combined with the high-speed data service that has already received a tremendous response from our customers, creates a terrific value for consumers."

You can read the full story via Telecomweb and Light Reading.


LECs Win: Texans Pass Telco IPTV Franchise Bill
Telecomweb - August 11, 2005
"The third time definitely was the charm for SBC Communications and Verizon Communications, pushing them past the bill’s chief opponents – the state’s cable-TV business. Strong Texas lawmaker support was evident in the past but action stopped first when the regular legislative session expired and a second time when a specially called session suffered the same time lapse (TelecomWeb news break, July 25, 21, 18 and 15)."

Telcos Close In on TX Video Win
Light Reading - August 10, 2005
"The Texas House and Senate have now passed legislation allowing video service providers to get one video franchise for the entire state, a move that will dramatically cut the time and money needed for a big phone company to offer TV services in more than one Texas city. The legislation, known as Senate Bill 5, was designed to boost the efforts of new entrants like SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE: SBC - message board) and Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ - message board) -- companies that previously had to obtain franchises in every one-horse town in which they wanted to offer service (see Martin: FCC to Classify IP Video)."