Good News, Everybody!

Kevin Martin, chairman of the FCC, recently told the New York Times that the FCC plans to end exclusive deals between telecom companies and apartment communities.  This is good for a variety of reasons.  First, hopefully this would mean that there will be more choices to consumers.  As Ars points out, that usually just means one or two more choices, that is still better than nothing.  Secondly, and closer to home, assuming that this would apply to all telecom companies and not just cable providers, I could switch over from using AT&T.  As I've mentioned before, the irony is that AT&T is one of the major backers of this proposal.  I have had nothing with problems with AT&T since moving into my new apartment a few months ago.  The service is horrible, with my getting disconnected multiple times a day.  I can't manage to keep a solid connection more than a day or two.  Not to mention that this service is costing me more than my cable internet and TV combined cost me.  Also, I just plain don't like AT&T and really don't want to do business with them.  The issue is expected to be discussed in a few days at the FCC meeting.  Martin said that it is possible that they may even strike down existing contracts before they expire.  While I don't think we can expect anything to actually have an effect in the immediate future, I'm hoping for something in the next year or so.  Then again, that might just be wishful thinking.