Florida Governor Commends At&T Florida For $750 Million Investment In Advanced Communications Infrastructure

September 20, 2007 -- TALLAHASSEE — Florida Governor Charlie Crist today commended AT&T Florida for announcing a $750 million investment in Florida’s advanced communications infrastructure. The investment is a direct result of the passage of the 2007 Consumer Choice Act sponsored by Senator Mike Bennett (R-Bradenton) and Representative Trey Traviesa (R-Tampa).

“I applaud the Florida House and Senate – and especially Senator Bennett and Representative Traviesa – for passing legislation that creates new opportunity for Floridians, and for Florida’s economy,” said Governor Crist. “A more competitive industry reaps benefits for consumers by saving them money and giving them more control and choices.”

The 2007 Consumer Choice Act modernizes the video franchise process by allowing telephone companies to petition the state to establish cable TV and Internet services franchises, rather than negotiating individual deals with local governments. The Legislation, signed into law by Governor Crist in May 2007, establishes the Department of State as the franchising authority in the state, speeding the competitive roll out of innovative new products and services to customers.

“During the 2007 Legislative Session, I encouraged my colleagues in the Legislature to support this pro-consumer legislation that would give Floridians a long-overdue choice and deliver advanced technology and more jobs to Florida,” said Senator Bennett. “We are now seeing those results come to fruition, and I am proud to have been part of this good law that will deliver dividends for our state.”

The 2007 Consumer Choice Act will ensure more Florida consumers will have more control and choice over their video and entertainment experience, while benefiting from competitively-prices products.
“This event marks the beginning of the dividends we promised the consumers of Florida when we passed the Consumer Choice Act,” said Representative Traviesa. “This commitment by AT&T Florida shows that opening the market and allowing competition to thrive will result in more services for consumers, more jobs for Floridians and more expeditious technological upgrades to the communications networks our Florida residents and businesses rely on.”

The 2007 Consumer Choice Act also protects consumers by prohibiting the practice of selecting service areas on the basis of income or race. Additionally, the new law repeals future phone rate increases and provides automatic enrollment of Lifeline telephone service for eligible low-income residents.

“We look forward to bringing Floridians not only choice and competition, but also the most advanced technology available in video, voice and Internet services,” said AT&T Florida President Marshal Criser. “We especially commend Governor Crist, Senator Mike Bennett, Representative Trey Traviesa, and all members of the Florida Legislature for their vision.”

Governor Crist was joined at today’s announcement by Representative Traviesa, AT&T Florida President Marshal Criser, Barney Bishop with Associated Industries of Florida, Lance Lozano with Florida United Businesses Association, Paula Hoisington with Video Access Alliance and Mary Smith with NAACP.

Source: Florida Governor

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