Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

'Baby Bells' win entry to cable

Larry Black
Wednesday 25 August 1993 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

NEW YORK - The US 'Baby Bell' regional telephone companies - many of which are investors in UK cable - were celebrating a separate victory that will allow them into the US cable business, writes Larry Black.

A 1984 ruling that broke up the old AT&T conglomerate into eight companies excluded them from using their networks to carry their own video products, but a district court in Virginia has found the ban unconstitutional.

The challenge was brought by Bell Atlantic, the east coast utility that has been acquiring small cable companies outside the region where it enjoys a monopoly on telephone service. Bell Atlantic recently announced plans to build a cable system in the Washington DC suburb of Alexandria, Virginia, which would be delivered over its residential telephone network in Washington.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in