NJ Rate Counsel Disagrees OTT Competition Moots Cable Rules

Streaming video services competition isn’t a good reason to refrain from tightening cable service quality rules, the New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel commented Friday at the state’s Board of Public Utilities. Cable operators resisted rules at a hearing last month including by arguing that over-the-top providers are unregulated (see 2111030030). "Although program viewing alternatives may exist, cable service providers maintain a stronghold on customers, despite increasing prices and often persistent troubled service,” said the Rate Counsel in docket CX21010010. Frequent customer problems show additional service quality standards are warranted and the board has statutory authority here, it said.