Residents of Bryan/College Station may be out of luck when it comes to looking for alternative options for Internet and cable television services.
Although the cities do not limit local TV and cable options, SuddenLink, the current telecommunications operator in the area, is the current established franchisee.
Competitors are free to invest their services into the market, and there are smaller Internet and telecommunications providers in the area. As for larger providers, it would likely not be financially beneficial to compete with the already established provider.
"It mainly comes down to just the cost and the effects of the market. New providers generally find it cost prohibitive to participate in a market or enter into a new market where there's already an established franchisee that has all the necessary infrastructure in place," said Brian Piscacek, Assistant to the City Manager of College Station.