saveaccess's blog

More disturbing numbers for telcos

Thu, 15 May 2008 06:55:58 -0400

More disturbing numbers for telcos

May 13, 2008 11:02 AM, By Carol Wilson

Two separate sources this week are offering up more analysis showing the telcos are falling behind the cable companies in the broadband and video battle.

Information Gatekeepers, an analyst firm that once predicted the telcos would overtake cable in broadband penetration, this week issued its High-Speed Access Report for the first quarter of 2008, showing cable is outperforming its forecast and the telcos are under-performing what IGI had forecast in 2006. The latest report is in keeping with what IGI began saying in 2007, when it warned that both AT&T and Verizon were falling behind in implementing high-speed access plans, and thus their data revenues would not make up for lost wireline access income.

NC: Local governments withhold public access TV funds

Thu, 15 May 2008 06:50:42 -0400

from: Orange Politics

Local governments withhold public access TV funds
by Ruby Sinreich on Mon, 05/12/2008 - 11:50am.

It seems like Chapel Hill and Orange County are giving our local public access provider quite the run around, when they should be giving them money! The programming on The Peoples Channel includes a wide variety of creative output and civic endeavors by local residents, plus they also carry the essential Democracy Now! If you don't find what you want on channel 8, you can march right in to the station, get low-cost training, and fill that gap. This nonprofit TV station is a tremendous asset to our community, and it deserves to be fully funded by our local governments.

IN: Public access TV suffering from telecom ‘reform' bill

Thu, 15 May 2008 06:47:47 -0400

from: Journal Gazette

Published: May 15, 2008 6:00 a.m.
Public access TV suffering from telecom ‘reform' bill
By Erik S. Möllberg

Those of us in the Public, Educational and Government Access TV community believed that House Bill 1279 (transferring cable franchising from municipalities to state control) would not only fail to address concerns we had prior to its passage, but also would cause irreparable harm to every PEG access center in Indiana. State legislators assured us this would not happen. Now, two years after the bill’s passage, those trepidations have materialized.

TN: As AT$T legislation wraps up, city may be first to see U-verse

Fri, 02 May 2008 07:15:59 -0400

from: The City Paper

As AT&T legislation wraps up, city may be first to see U-verse
By John Rodgers, Friday, May 2, 2008 3:21 am

Nashvillians and residents of neighboring counties will likely have the first crack at AT&T’s television programming later this year now that legislation is close to becoming law, a lawmaker close to the telecom said.

Be the Media -- Free Speech Unfurled

Thu, 01 May 2008 23:16:43 -0400

from: NTEN.org

Be the Media -- Free Speech Unfurled

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Nonprofit Technology Network, April 22, 2008
By Lauren-Glenn Davitian

While mainstream media remains under the control of a handful of giant corporations, you no longer have to own a printing press to reach a dedicated audience. Gone are the days when we chose from one of three national nightly newscasts on the living room TV. Free speech, broadband services and mobile handsets are quickly dismantling the “one to many” Broadcast Age and putting media production and distribution directly into the hands of “the people”.

CA: The Cancellation of Channel 36

Thu, 01 May 2008 23:15:09 -0400

from: La Times

The Cancellation of Channel 36

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Los Angeles Times, May 1, 2008
By Patt Morrison

It's the channel you probably channel-surf right past on your way from Discovery to CNN.

TN: Statewide Cable Franchise Bill Passes General Assembly

Thu, 01 May 2008 23:11:57 -0400

from: Nashville Public radio

Statewide Cable Franchise Bill Passes General Assembly

Thursday, May 01st, 2008

A bill that would allow AT&T to expand into cable and broadband internet services statewide is on its way to the governor.

The Senate unanimously passed the measure today, after two years of behind-the-scenes bargaining between the giant phone utility and the cable television industry. Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey says he’s satisfied with the end result.

TN: Historic’ AT$T bill headed to governor

Thu, 01 May 2008 23:07:09 -0400

from: The City Paper

Historic’ AT&T bill headed to governor
By John Rodgers, jrodgers@nashvillecitypaper.com
Updated: Thursday, May 1, 2008 10:33 am

Calling it a “historic day in Tennessee,” the Senate unanimously approved a bill this morning paving the way for AT&T to start offering television programming in Tennessee and compete with the cable industry.

TN: Nashville: House approves AT$T cable deal

Thu, 01 May 2008 07:18:20 -0400

from: Times Free Press

Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Nashville: House approves AT&T cable deal

By: Andy Sher

NASHVILLE — The House voted 93-2 Monday for legislation that would let AT&T begin competing with cable companies to provide television services across Tennessee.

TN: Cable bill passes House

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:14:23 -0400

from: AP Wire

Cable bill passes House
Associated Press - April 28, 2008 6:35 PM ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A proposal to provide statewide cable TV franchising has passed the House.

The legislation approved 93-2 on Monday would allow companies like AT&T Inc. to avoid having to seek hundreds of municipal permits to offer TV service.

WI: AT$T still not definite on U-verse here

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:12:30 -0400

from: Capital Times

AT&T still not definite on U-verse here

Jeff Richgels — 4/28/2008 11:26 am

AT&T is looking to hire 200 more technicians to install and service its U-verse TV service, which now is available to more than 200,000 homes in the Milwaukee, Racine and Sheboygan areas.

But even though the jobs include positions in south central Wisconsin, indicating that U-verse may be offered here in the near future, the company still isn't saying when the Madison area might get U-verse.

NY: Verizon TV proposal needs tuning

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 09:44:31 -0400

from: NY Daily News

Verizon TV proposal needs tuning

Friday, April 25th 2008, 4:00 AM

Telecom giant Verizon has finally submitted its long-awaited proposal for a competing cable television franchise for New York City.

If you live in the Bronx, Brooklyn or Queens and you're eager to ditch Time Warner or Cablevision, take a number.

OH: State video franchising: Where are the competitors?"

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 09:42:00 -0400

from: Callahan's Diary

State video franchising: Where are the competitors?

This post and comments at BFD got me wondering: How’s that brave new world of competitive IPTV and sizzling broadband that Ohioans were promised last summer — when the General Assembly overwhelmingly approved and the Governor happily signed SB 117, AT&T’s “cable franchise reform” bill — coming along?

TN: Final Language of the Tennessee Franchise Reform Bill and Amendments

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:49:35 -0400

from: Elliott Mitchell
Music City Arts TV9 / iQ TV10
http://www.meac.tv

Attached, please find the final language of the Franchise "Reform" Legislation in the General Assembly in Tennessee.

There has been some criticism of the draft version of this legislation, and insofar as I can tell the final version is identical to the draft.

I will be the first to tell you that the bill is imperfect, but I also know some of its genesis and was privileged to be among the PEG folks asked to help the Tennessee Municipal League understand and object to many of the demands of both Telco and Cable during closed-door "negotiation." I believe I can report that due to TML's help, PEG in Tennessee dodged several major bullets, where other states have been not so fortunate.

TX: Book Report Raises Questions About Texas’ SB5

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:46:31 -0400

from: Blogging Broadband

Book Report Raises Questions About Texas’ SB5

Those keeping score know that the Texas legislature really started the state-mandated video franchise train down the tracks. SB5 was passed in Texas at the end of 2005. It was a natural place for the phone companies to get the ball rolling, as SBC, now the new AT&T, called Texas home. Since SB5 passed, a likely-unprecedented wave of states adopted some form of “shall issue” video franchising — all of it aimed at helping the phone companies get into the cable business.