Telecom bill advances

Customers could have more choices for cable television and other telecommunications services under a bill (H4428) that gained key House approval this morning.

The measure would open up competition to provide such services. Among the lead advocates for the measure has been phone giant Bell South, which aims to get into more South Carolina homes with cable television and high-speed Internet.

The bill was debated at length in committee, but gained second reading unanimously in the full House. A final vote is likely tomorrow before the measure moves to the state Senate.