By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – An effort to change telecommunications law in Missouri is dead, at least for this year.
State Sen. John Griesheimer (R-Washington) said Monday night he won't bring up the measure up again this year.
Griesheimer's bill was backed by AT&T (formerly SBC Communications). The legislation would have lowered barriers for phone companies to offer an Internet-based TV service.
Currently, companies have to negotiate deals with all 553 local Missouri governments that have cable franchises. The bill would let like AT&T seek a state-issued franchise to enter multiple markets.
Cable companies and some local governments complained the bill would have given AT&T an unfair edge, noting the provision that would have allowed newcomers to offer TV service in areas smaller than those covered by cable providers.