By learning the FCC regulations and the governing entity of their local franchise company, customers had the ability to make demands for their cable agreement which helped to ensure fair service.
In return for the rights to offer service in an area, a cable company must provide certain community benefits requested by the LFA.
These might include Public, educational, and government access (PEG) cable TV channels, high-speed networks for local agencies and institutions, and/or special rates for seniors, the economically disadvantaged, and the disabled.
Cable systems in the United States were becoming more of a necessity than a luxury both for individuals and communities as technology became a part of everyday life.
[7] One author made the comparison of allowing the government to only permit one newspaper to be sold on the side of the street; it would result in a lack of competition.
However, the cost of funding to develop a cable system was high and the barriers to entry made it a greater risk than many investors were interested in taking.
[5] It granted local franchise authorities the ability to regulate cable service rates which was previously mandated by the FCC.
The sheer number of overhauls caused roadways and sidewalks to be torn up which affected pedestrian and vehicular travel while adding extra expense to the endeavor.