The town recognizes that the cable television and telecommunications industries are in a period of convergence, that the technologies and services provided by these industries are rapidly changing, and that the Telecommunications Act of 1991 promoted and encouraged competition between and among these formally discrete industries. At this time it is premature to know fully the extent to which there will be changes in law, technology, or services that may impact entities that have been or may be granted franchises or licenses to use the town’s rights-of-way. It is the desire of the town to be a communications friendly town that encourages the development of competitive advanced communications capabilities for the benefit of all its citizens. For this reason the regulatory ordinances and franchises of the town should not impede or restrict the fair opportunity to compete, but rather are intended to provide uniform and consistent requirements for all similarly situated providers.
(Ord. 1497, passed 2-22-06)