David-Goliath cable fight looms

Cox Communications will likely be selling cable service early next month to communities in East Bay, the last remaining Rhode Island outlet - aside from Block Island - not served by the cable giant.

For Cox, East Bay represents the first area in Rhode Island where it will go head to head with a competitor, Full Channel Cable TV. In the past, Cox has grown in the state by taking over most of its 10 cable service areas by buying out or swapping customers with other companies.

Not so with Full Channel. This independent cable provider, which has served Barrington, Bristol and Warren for 18 years, is doing everything possible to keep Cox from moving into its territory.

Experts in the industry say East Bay is not big enough for both companies.

Full Channel, owned by John Donofrio, has filed several appeals to the state and the courts to block Cox, including a "motion of stay" with Rhode Island Superior Court filed last week.

Full Channel cites a series of technicalities, including Cox's use of an out-of-state attorney to apply for proper licenses, as well as what they consider special treatment extended to Cox by the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, the state agency that regulates cable. More

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