NASHVILLE — After little debate, the state Senate voted 29-0 this morning to send compromise legislation that would let AT&T begin competing with cable companies to Gov. Phil Bredesen.

“This is an historic day in Tennessee,” said Sen. Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, the Senate sponsor.

Proponents say the bill will promote cable TV competition and choice as well as spark broadband deployment in rural areas and promote new investment and jobs.

AT&T’s push last year faltered amid a major lobbying and television advertising war among AT&T, cable interests and local governments.

The bill allows AT&T to bypass hundreds of local governments that over the years have struck their own franchise agreements with cable companies. It creates a state franchising process to be overseen by the Tennessee Regulatory Authority.

For complete details, see tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.

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