We need to let the public know about our local investments, our changing business environment and the vigorous competition we face in each of our markets. Clearly, cable television is no longer a delivery system for broadcast stations and satellite networks. Indeed, cable is no longer just one-way television. Cable is dozens of new digitally compressed video channels offering greater diversity than ever before. And it is an interactive medium, giving consumers control over what they want to watch, when they want to watch it.
Cable is also the best consumer value for high speed Internet access.
And in a growing number of communities, cable is the first real alternative to the local telephone monopoly. I know that Time-Warner, MediaOne and Cox have calculated their companies investments and let public officials know what kind of economic impact this has had on their communities. I urge every company in our industry to do the same. We must let public officials know how many jobs our industry is creating. We must let them know about the beneficial economic impact that our investments are having on their communities.