A measure allowing EATEL Video to offer multimedia service in East Baton Rouge Parish was deferred at Wednesday’s Metro Council meeting over potential legal concerns. The council agreed to revisit the issue in two weeks. The agreement would allow EATEL to offer broadband service in the city and parish. “We want some clarity on the plan,” District 2 Councilman Ulysses “Bones” Addison said, adding language in the agreement might have to be modified to adhere to Federal Communications Commission regulations. But Janet Britton, EATEL’s director of legal and regulatory affairs, maintains the plan is ready as is and further deferrals could hurt the company. “We think that we’re ready,” Britton told the council. “The plan is reasonable. We’re ready to employ in Baton Rouge and ready to pay taxes in Baton Rouge. By deferring this, you’re deferring our business plan. This has real monetary impact for us.” Addison said the intent is to ensure full legal compliance, not to hinder EATEL. “We hope to not defer your business,” he told Britton. The measure was previously deferred at the Aug. 24 meeting due to time constraints, but Addison suggested it won’t be deferred again. “I will be here next time, and I will continue to come until we get the franchise. We’re a family company. Our owner is 84 years old,” Britton said, to which Addison replied, “You can tell your 84-year-old owner that you’ll get it.” —Ian McGibboney
Today’s poll question: Would you like to see EATEL enter the Baton Rouge market and offer another option for TV and Internet service?
