Ameritech goes cable.(first Baby Bell to gain a cable franchise in its own service area)

Broadcasting & Cable, July, 1995 by Berniker, Mark

Ameritech has become the first Baby Bell to obtain a cable franchise in its own service area. The deal, signed last week, reflects the telco's movement from the common-carrier approach of video dialtone toward becoming a cable operator. As a result of the seminal pact, suburban Detroit will be the site of competition in the cable market between an existing operator and a regional telephone company.

However, the shape of the competition is unclear because the existing local cable operator, N-COM, is in discussions with Continental Cablevision about a possible purchase of the suburban Detroit system. "We're acting as a cable operator and are in the process of negotiating with several local communities for construction permits," says Ameritech spokesman...

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