Comcast Files New Lawsuit Against EPB

EPB executives say lawsuit or not, they plan to continue with their fiber to home plan if the community demands it. So far, feedback has been positive but they want to hear from more customers.
EPBPower board President Harold DePriest says he's confident the new lawsuit filed by Comcast will again get thrown out. At issue are plans by the utility to loan money to it's own communications division. That division would then offer cable and internet service. But EPB's board still must approve the loan. That's why DePriest calls the move by Comcast premature. Comcast claims EPB cannot finance it's venture with taxpayer dollars.
Harold DePriest, "These businesses will pay rent to the electric system for the use of any electric system facilities. Those rents will be sufficient to ensure that nobody who just buys electric service from us pays to help somebody else have cable TV or internet or telephone service."
In a statement Comcast says the EPB plan violates Tennessee state law. They claim they filed the lawsuit to ensure they're allowed to compete in a fair environment.
EPB's president says he's disappointed at how far Comcast has gone to block their venture. He thinks part of reason is they don't want any competition.
If approved the fiber to home plan would take 3 to 5 years to complete.