Save Access

from: Patriot Ledger

SPEAK OUT: Communities must retain local cable control

By FRANK LYNAM

Consumers in Massachusetts have a great deal at stake if the Legislature approves special-interest legislation to eliminate municipalities from the cable licensing and renewal process.

from: CCTV

Strong Opposition to Verizon Bill at Cable Franchising Hearing

I recently returned from the first half of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy hearing on cable franchising in Gardner Auditorium at the MA State House today. The near capacity-filled room was dotted with bright yellow, green, and pink stickers that read, "Don't Mess with Access" worn by opponents of the bill.

from: Spinal Column

AT&T entrance into local market prompts utility box concerns

June 06, 2007 - Recent enactment of a new state law pertaining to cable television franchising is the catalyst for AT&T approaching several local communities for permission to begin providing Internet protocol (IP) television, Internet and phone service in the lakes area. Officials in some communities — while not trying to stifle competition for Comcast — have concerns with the new law, which some have argued will curb funding through set fees the service providers pay. Other municipal officials fear utility upgrades by AT&T could have negative aesthetic and public safety effects in their communities, which receive revenues from cable companies in two ways.

from: Broadcasting and Cable

Senate Schedules FCC Spectrum Auction Hearing

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 6/4/2007 2:56:00 PM

The Senate Commerce Committee has scheduled a June 14 hearing on the upcoming FCC auction of spectrum in the 700 mHZ band.

from: Verizon Investor Conferences

From the Lehman Brothers 2007 Equity Research Worldwide Wireless and Wireline Conference with Doreen Toben, EVP and CFO, May 31, 2007. Doreen's comments confirm past statements made by telco executives when speaking to investor groups, that local franchising is not a problem (it suits their rate of roll-out actually).

Dear Friends,

YOU have made a difference today.

In the House Public Utilities Committee there seemed to be a change in the wind. Thanks to your calls more than 20 amendments were passed along to the chair of the committee. Based on that, they decided not to have amendments and a vote today, but to rather accept more testimony and to work on the amendments this week, culminating in a committee meeting next Tuesday at 11am where it is likely the bill will be amended and passed.

from: National Journal

FCC Urged To Change Auction Rules

By Heather Greenfield

On a day when Congress was out of session, the New America Foundation packed a Senate hearing room for a panel discussion on what seemed to be a specialized topic -- the next spectrum auction at the FCC. But the issue could affect how most consumers and companies communicate via high-speed Internet.

from: Boston Globe

Verizon officials catch static over cable TV plan

By Carolyn Y. Johnson, Globe Staff
June 6, 2007

At a packed Beacon Hill hearing yesterday, top officials from Verizon Communications Inc. faced skeptical questions about a telecommunications bill yesterday from a legislative committee and a crowd that hissed and heckled at times.

from: Boston.com

Bill would shift review of cable TV franchises to state level

By Mark Jewell, AP Business Writer | June 5, 2007

BOSTON --Local cable television markets across much of Massachusetts could be opened up to new competition under a proposal before state lawmakers.

from: Kane County Chronicle

Officials remove signs, still dislike bill

By KAREN LONG - klong@kcchronicle.com

GENEVA -- With the state Senate poised to authorize state regulation of cable and video services in Illinois, Geneva officials have taken down their educational lawn ornaments.