Are IPTV providers really exempt from video franchises?

Phil Harvey, Editor-in-Chief

October 5, 2005

1 Min Read
IPTV Rules

2:50 PM -- I'm confused. A few IPTV providers have made the point that their service isn't subject to Texas state-issued franchise rules. (See Even Video Is Big in Texas.) But Senate Bill 5 spells out that any video service served over any technology requires a franchise:

"Video service" means video programming services provided through wireline facilities located at least in part in the public right-of-way without regard to delivery technology, including Internet protocol technology. This definition does not include any video service provided by a commercial mobile service provider as defined in 47 U.S.C. Section 332(d).



Was that bit eliminated from the bill Gov. Perry signed?

— Phil Harvey, Legal Stuff Editor, Light Reading

About the Author(s)

Phil Harvey

Editor-in-Chief, Light Reading

Phil Harvey has been a Light Reading writer and editor for more than 18 years combined. He began his second tour as the site's chief editor in April 2020.

His interest in speed and scale means he often covers optical networking and the foundational technologies powering the modern Internet.

Harvey covered networking, Internet infrastructure and dot-com mania in the late 90s for Silicon Valley magazines like UPSIDE and Red Herring before joining Light Reading (for the first time) in late 2000.

After moving to the Republic of Texas, Harvey spent eight years as a contributing tech writer for D CEO magazine, producing columns about tech advances in everything from supercomputing to cellphone recycling.

Harvey is an avid photographer and camera collector – if you accept that compulsive shopping and "collecting" are the same.

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