Bill Would Help Phone Firms Enter TV Market

Telephone companies including AT&T; Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. could sell television service without getting permission from local governments under a proposal by U.S. House Commerce Committee Chairman Joe L. Barton (R-Texas).

Barton released draft legislation that would create a “national franchise” system enabling phone companies to bypass many local rules. The proposal would strip local governments of their control over cable franchises.

The draft bill also includes so-called network neutrality language that allows the Federal Communications Commission to take enforcement action against any high-speed Internet service provider that blocks subscribers’ access to any Internet content.