Time-Warner Granted Ohio Statewide Video-Service Authorization

Well, I'm not 100% sure what this MEANS, but apparently Time-Warner has been granted a 10-year Video-Service Authorization for the State of Ohio as of 12/14/2007.

AT&T was ALSO granted Ohio Video-Service Authorization on November 7, 2007.

HUH???

I guess this is somehow different from the local franchise agreements. Back in the day, individual municipalities would grant franchises to one (and only one) cable provider and then that community was stuck.

Some hubbub went around a few months back about Ohio going to this state-wide system - a change that was heavily lobbied for by AT&T, but now I am WAY confused as it looks like both AT&T and Time-Warner now have these Ohio Video-Service Authorizations.

Apparently there were some consumer protections built into the law - including a requirement that provicers restore service within 72 hours of a service interruption or other problem.

Well, I'd have to say some of this bizarre behavior from the Scientific Atlanta 8300 box constitutes a "problem", so I'm wondering if I can call the state on them now.

Eight additional companies have also applied for authorization - including Cincinnati Bell. Seeing the way they handle Fuse and Zoomtown I am REALLY afraid.

Of some concern also is that Hamilton County doesn't seem to be on the list for either AT&T OR Time-Warner.

Now, can anyone explain to me what the deal was with this thing? I thought the whole STATE was going to be franchised to a single company ...