Friday, September 6, 2002
Michael PaulkJACKSON, Tenn. -- A local telecommunications provider, which opposes the plan of the Jackson Energy Authority to lay a fiber optic network and lease it to competing telecommunication companies, has filed a petition with the Tennessee Regulatory Authority seeking to block the application of Broadband Innovations LLC to provide telephone service over that network.
Jackson-based Aeneas Internet & Telephone says Broadband Innovations, a startup company headed by local businessman Curtis Graves, is not a stand-alone company but a partner with the municipal utility in its fiber project.
Aeneas officials contend TRA should review Broadband Innovation's petition because it does not disclose its relationship with JEA, which it says could be viewed as a partnership.
"This violates the TRA's rules governing telecommunications companies," says Aeneas CEO Jonathan Harlan. "Aeneas welcomes free and fair competition. Aeneas and other private enterprise companies succeed through private investment risk and hard work. We do not think it is an appropriate use of public tax revenues to provide risk-free enrichment for private individuals."
Aeneas also filed a complaint July 22 in Madison County Chancery Court against the city of Jackson and the JEA seeking to halt the issuance of about $60 million in revenue bonds guaranteed by the city and intended to fund a JEA fiber optic network.