AT&T deal hits snag with city (Fort Payne, AL)

[cablewithaview]

A third cable television franchise in Fort Payne may have hit a snag Tuesday.

AT&T recently asked the city for a franchise agreement, joining Time Warner and Farmer’s Telephone. However, City Attorney Rocky Watson told city council members Tuesday that AT&T’s potential agreement would not be the same as the other two.

In a letter to City Clerk Jim McGee, Watson pointed out AT&T’s agreement did not provide free cable service to city government, while agreements with Farmer’s and Time Warner does require the service.

Watson believes the deal with AT&T could lead to Farmer’s and Time Warner demanding modifications of their agreements and eliminating the free service.

“In talking with the AT&T representative, he stated that it was AT&T’s position that under not circumstances would they agree to provide similar drops,” Watson wrote in the letter.

He recommended the council reject AT&T’s possible agreement, unless the council is not concerned about the free city service. No action was taken at Tuesday’s meeting.


The Times-Journal