The development of the cable television system resulted in a complex system of regulations. Local, state, and federal laws overlapped and caused a variety of issues. Local franchise authorities were accused of having monopolies over the cable systems and creating issues through micromanagement. The complex local, state, and federal regulations have been a topic of discussion for many years. The general opinion seems to have been that the laws which regulate cable television, and the telecommunications industry in general, have been in need of deregulation. Experts boast a number of benefits which would result from this change. Experts began calling for deregulation of these rules as early as 1970s. By the 1990s the demand for cable technology was so rapidly increasing that the need for reform seemed inevitable. 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. This is what was happening in the cable industry, the local franchise authorities had the power to control which cable systems were granted access to their area. The high demand for cable systems suggested a guaranteed profitable business venture. 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. This resulted in lack of competition which resulted in higher prices. In 1996 the long-awaited reform came about. The
Telecommunications Act of 1996 became the largest and most comprehensive rewrite of telecommunication laws. It was meant to deregulate the system and create a more open market in which competitive prices and better service could be achieved. Also, two years later the FCC was still making rules and had, in fact, made more rules than many of the other governmental Departments combined. ==References==