Amid Rate Hikes, Menino To File Petition To Set Cable Rates

Angered by the rising cost of cable TV in Boston, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino wants the city to set cable rates. Menino will file a petition with the Federal Communications Commission Monday seeking that authority.

The mayor is targeting Comcast, saying Boston is not a competitive TV market.

"RCN is not really a competition for Cablevision, and Verizon's made the choice not to have Fios in the city of Boston, so we really have one company that's serving our city," Menino said.

The FCC stopped regulating prices in Boston in 2002, when new providers moved into the market.

"We look at other cities that are contiguous with Boston and their rates are much cheaper and they're regulated," Menino said. "So it's about fairness for the consumer and that's what we're looking for."