TX: Book Report Raises Questions About Texas’ SB5

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

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.

No Quarter for the Time Warner Bandwidth Rationing Plan

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 11:23:56 -0500

The leaked Time Warner memo of January annoucing a Texas trial to meter cumulative bandwidth usage for new subscribers and charging a levy for excess consumption should be met with outrage and derision. If implemented nationally, such metering will result in another layer of tiered internet access and turn the web into something resembling a cable TV package, both in escalating cost and eventual loss of content diversity.

TX: This Could Be The End of Public Access in Austin...

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:20:51 -0500

from: SaveAccess Texas

This Could Be The End of Public Access in Austin...
Submitted by savetexasaccess on Fri, 2008-02-15 19:03.

. . . if Time Warner successfully sues to get out of the franchise agreement with the City.

The following article “Court allows Texas Cable Industry to Challenge State Law” appeared in last week’s Austin American Statesman (Feb. 8, 2008).

AT$T Tells Employees to Support Texas Politician

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 08:30:25 -0500

Note: File under political payback. In the letter to Employees, AT&T president reminds employees that they owe King for helping to pass SB5, the first state-wide video franchise passed in the country - at AT&T's request.

from: Star Telegram

AT&T letter supporting King draws criticism

TX: El Paso to expand cable government channel

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 12:42:16 -0500

from: El Paso Times

El Paso to expand cable government channel
By David Crowder / El Paso Time
Article Launched: 11/19/2007 12:00:00 AM MST

When Time Warner gets out of the business of broadcasting local government meetings on cable Channel 15 in January, El Paso's City Hall will take over and has big plans for a full-time government TV channel.

AT$T Confirms Second Telco Box Fire

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 07:29:10 -0400

from: Light Reading

AT&T Confirms Second VRAD Fire

AUGUST 24, 2007

The AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T - message board) investigation into an exploding VRAD cabinet may be over, but (sadly for my editors) the story lives on. (See AT&T: Defect Caused VRAD Explosion.)

TX: Fire to the Node, AT$T Eyes Batteries in Telco Box Explosion

Sun, 12 Aug 2007 10:29:10 -0400

from: Light Reading

AT&T Eyes Batteries in Explosion Probe

AUGUST 10, 2007

AT&T Inc. says it isn't finished investigating what caused one of its broadband equipment cabinets to explode in suburban Houston last year. The explosion, first reported by Light Reading, occurred in the 8200 block of Clover Gardens Drive, outside the home of an elderly couple in late October. (See AT&T Investigates DSLAM Explosion and AT&T Still Digging on DBLAM!)

TX: Buh-Bye Houston Media Source

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 07:48:07 -0400

from: Houston Art Blog

buh-bye

Apparently the city has no need for Houston Media Source anymore, last week the city decided to not renew their franchise contract. Under Texas' two and a half year-old statewide video franchise law, Comcast will be allowed to apply for a statewide franchise certificate, but they are not obligated to give any funds to public access. Bill White's Chief of Staff, Mr. Terrance Fountain, says the City will cut off all funding for Houston Media Source effective April 2008.

TX: Bundling Telecom Services May Not Always Save a Bundle

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 09:00:31 -0400

Note: More evidence of the 'triple ploy'.

from: Houston Chronicle

Bundling Telecom Services May Not Always Save a Bundle

June 5, 2007
By Vicki Lee Parker

Bundling is the buzzword in the telecom industry these days. Cable TV companies, phone companies and Internet providers want to sell us all sorts of services for one price. It’s a big price, but cheaper than paying for each separately, they tell us.

TX: Cable cost eyes are on Texas

Sat, 02 Jun 2007 12:45:28 -0400

from: Capital Times

Cable cost eyes are on Texas

Jeff Richgels — 6/02/2007 3:23 am

Competition from phone companies designed to be boosted by the nation's first state cable franchising law has not lowered cable TV prices in Texas but has provided consumers with a lower cost alternative, a study has found, Multichannel.com reported this week.

TX: AT$T U-Verse plans for Public Access

Sat, 02 Jun 2007 12:41:40 -0400

Note: Still clueless in Texas, in these videoes AT&T spokespeople reveal how little they know about their company plans to provide carriage of PEG channels on their IPTV system

AT&T U-Verse plans for Public Access

AT&T executives spoke with Texas and Louisiana Public Access Providers In January 2007 about AT&T plans for PEG channels with its U-Verse service. Public Access Producers, concerned about the possible loss of public access, asked questions about their service or lack of service offerings (PEG Channels are not offered on U-verse at this time). Part 1 of 5.

TX: Study Says Statewide Franchising Hasn't Driven Prices Down

Wed, 30 May 2007 07:52:14 -0400

from: MultiChannel News

Study Says Statewide Franchising Hasn't Driven Prices Down

By Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 5/28/2007

Competition has not led to lower basic cable-rates in Texas, according to a survey conducted by the state's chapter of the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisers.

TX: A crisis at public access TV

Mon, 28 May 2007 17:56:17 -0400

from: Houston Chronicle

May 24, 2007, 8:44PM
A crisis at public access TV
By LISA FALKENBERG

Half-hour from downtown, turtles float, alligators sun and birds bathe in Armand Bayou.

Houston has the most successful Crime Stoppers in the world, helping solve 1,152 cases last year.

TX: Just Not True: Cable Rates Not Falling in Texas

Sun, 27 May 2007 19:09:54 -0400

from: Lafayette ProFiber

Just Not True: Cable Rates Not Falling in Texas

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Here's something to think about:

Competition has not led to lower basic cable-rates in Texas. (MultiChannel News)

That's the long and the short of it according to a study by the Texas chapter of NATOA.

TX: No Texas-Sized Rate Declines in Texas

Fri, 25 May 2007 11:04:27 -0400

Note: Texas was the first state video franchise to pass and was touted by the industry and politicians as legislation that would save consumers money in cable TV subscriptions. The public interest community has always discredited this misinformation - now it seems the industry press is finally looking closer too.