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Satellite TV, such as DirecTV, also competes locally, but critics argue satellite is not true competition because it tends to attract the high-end users, not the average Joe.

The cable industry is about as close as we have to a deregulated monopoly," said Marty Cohen, head of the Chicago-based Citizens Utility Board watchdog group.

"You have no choice in most places. Satellite is the only option, and many people can't get satellite because of trees or buildings that are in the way."

It used to be that satellite companies couldn't offer local network channels. That's changed in recent years, but, in addition to reception obstructions - including rain and snow disruptions - there are still several other built-in disadvantages that the satellite industry has to cope with, said Barry Orton, professor of telecommunications at University of Wisconsin-Madison and a consultant to several local suburbs.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Fisher Accuses Satellite TV Company of Violating State's `Do Not Call' Law; Lawsuit Seeks Permanent Ban on Doing Business in Pennsylvania
Friday August 8, 12:09 pm ET

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorney General Mike Fisher today filed a lawsuit against a satellite TV company accused of ignoring Pennsylvania's "Do Not Call" law by contacting consumers who were registered on the state's no-call list. The suit seeks civil penalties, investigation costs and a permanent ban on doing business in Pennsylvania.
Fisher identified the defendant as AMERICOMM Inc., of Charlotte, North Carolina. The lawsuit alleges violations of Pennsylvania's Telemarketer Registration Act. AMERICOMM is accused of calling consumers in Lebanon, Bucks and Cumberland counties after November 1, 2002 when the "Do Not Call" law went into effect for telemarketers.

Consumers located in Lebanon, Cumberland and Bucks counties complained to Fisher's Office that the business left messages on their answering machines claiming that they had won a free digital satellite system. Consumers were given a prize claim number and return telephone number to call to obtain their free gift.

Consumers said the message also stated that if they responded within 24 hours they would receive a free DVD player and two free nights in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Agents with Fisher's Bureau of Consumer Protection said each consumer who filed an official complaint had reported the same prize claim number.

The Commonwealth claims that the prize offer was an inducement to get consumers to enter into a digital satellite TV service contract with the company.

Fisher said AMERICOMM is also accused of:

-- Failing to purchase the "Do Not Call" list.
-- Intentionally preventing its name and telephone number from appearing
on consumers' caller-ID systems.
-- Failing to register as a telemarketer with the Office of Attorney
General.

" My office filed suit against AMERICOMM after negotiations to resolve the case failed," Fisher said. "The allegations in this case differ from other investigations in that consumers said they were contacted several times a month by this business and had no way of halting the calls."

The suit asks the court to require the defendant to:

-- Pay civil penalties of $1,000 per violation and $3,000 for each
violation involving a consumer age 60 or older.
-- Permanently forfeit its right to conduct business in the Commonwealth.
-- Pay the Commonwealth's cost of investigation.

The lawsuit was filed in Commonwealth Court by Deputy Attorney General Kathryn H. Silcox of Fisher's Bureau of Consumer Protection Office in Harrisburg.

CONTACT: Barbara Petito, Deputy Press Secretary, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, +1-717-787-5211.