Save Access

Note: The flip side of "competition = lower prices", in fact, competition allows the cable providers to petition the FCC to lift the remaining pricing caps, thus raising prices. If the recent past is any indication, the FCC will comply.

from: MultiChannel News

Comcast Seeks Rate Relief in 150 Communities

from: MultiChannel News

Verizon Appeals to FCC for Three-Year Set-Top Waiver
NCTA Also Asks Full Commission to Review Denial of Its Request

By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 7/31/2007 1:20:00 PM

The Federal Communications Commission last month granted Verizon Communications a one-year waiver to the agency’s integrated-set-top ban for high-end devices, but on Monday, the telco asked to have until 2010 before it’s required to comply with the rule.

from: Newsday

Blumenthal, consumer counsel demands AT&T get cable franchise

August 6, 2007

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and the Office of Consumer Counsel on Monday asked state utility regulators to order AT&T to get a statewide cable television license before signing up new customers.

from: Denver Business journal

Qwest wants video franchise in Arvada

The Denver Business Journal - 3:26 PM MDT Monday, August 6, 2007
by Greg Avery
Denver Business Journal

Qwest Communications International Inc. seeks its second video franchise agreement with a community in its headquarters city and is making use of federal rules designed to make the process move quickly, the company announced Monday.

Note: Some of the reasons given for this law are telling - see boldfaced paragraph near bottom.

from: NY Times

August 6, 2007
Bush Signs Law to Widen Legal Reach for Wiretapping

By JAMES RISEN
WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 — President Bush signed into law on Sunday legislation that broadly expanded the government’s authority to eavesdrop on the international telephone calls and e-mail messages of American citizens without warrants.

from: Post Gazette

Who needs public access TV?

Some argue that 'Wayne's World' is still more democratic than YouTube

Sunday, August 05, 2007

By Adrian McCoy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

For many people, public access TV is still symbolized by "Wayne's World," a "Saturday Night Live" sketch that portrayed two slackers doing a so-bad-it's-good program from a basement rec room.

from: Post Gazette

Public access TV, then and now

Sunday, August 05, 2007
By Adrian McCoy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Public access TV dates back to the 1970s, when cable systems began to designate channels on which community members could create and air their own TV programs.

The FCC required that all cable systems in markets of a certain size provide a channel to the community, along with equipment, training, studio space and air time.

from: Green Bay Press gazette

Posted August 5, 2007

Guest column: Consumers, not AT&T, should get favored status

By Bruce Speight and Joel Kelsey

The dual goals of increased competition in the cable market and the expansion of broadband Internet service in Wisconsin are laudable. In today's connected world access to robust networks means much more than just the opportunity to watch cable television — it means increased access to news, art, entertainment, and diverse marketplaces. Unfortunately, the so-called "cable competition" bill that is currently before the state Legislature is missing its opportunity to develop the video service marketplace in a way that truly benefits Wisconsinites.

from: Cable 360

States Play Fair With Franchises
Video franchising bills are on the march, but redlining lately has been given the boot.
July 30, 2007
By Simon Applebaum

We’re only midway through 2007, and video franchising legislation has already been approved in seven states. That compares with eight states enacting video franchise legislation during all of 2006, and brings the number of states with such laws in play to 16. But this doesn’t necessarily spell bad news for cable operators since the 2007 bills are more equitable.

Note: Alas, as in other states, the church folks once against demonstrate their devotion to the public interest merely has a price that can be easily bought. Shame!

from: Pierce County Herald

Cable TV bill supporters getting some divine help