A federal appeals court has upheld the Federal Communications Commission’s authority to make rules intended to increase cable television competition in the US.

Local governments had filed legal challenges to agency rules the FCC said would speed the approval process for new competitors, cap fees paid by new entrants to local governments, and ease requirements that competitors build systems that reach every home. The lawsuits said the FCC overstepped its authority.

A three-judge panel ruled unanimously for the FCC. It said the agency showed the local franchising process was ”unreasonably impeding competitive entry into the cable television market.”

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