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From NATOA

While the rumor mill is rampant that there’s just not enough time for the Senate to act on telecom reform this session (and we agree, that there is insufficient time to give telecom reform the type of consideration it needs), we never the less need to be vigilant. Senator Stevens is still working hard to lock in the necessary 60 votes to close debate (cloture) and the 60 votes necessary to overcome objections due to an unfunded mandate point of order. These are the only things holding him back – and we are working hard to keep him from obtaining those critical votes.

from Free Press Sept.12, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Craig Aaron, Free Press, (202) 265-1490, x25

FCC Ignores America's Broadband Woes

New Report Shows U.S. Falling Behind Rest of World in High-Speed Internet Access, as Digital Divide Persists at Home

Misleading FCC Data Masks Slow Speeds, High Prices and No Competition for Broadband Service

WASHINGTON -- The United States continues to lag behind the rest of the world in accessible and affordable broadband service, with no signs of closing the digital divide at home, according to a new report released today by Free Press, the Consumer Federation of America and Consumers Union.

From: MultiChannel News

California Cities Seek A Veto for Video Bill

By Linda Haugsted
9/11/2006

California cities and counties, concerned that a new statewide video-franchising bill will disenfranchise groups of consumers throughout the state, have launched an effort to get Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to veto
the bill.

The municipalities and their advocacy group, the League of California Cities, strongly opposed the bill throughout the hearing process. Local regulators stressed their support for competition, but said they fear the bill (approved Aug. 31) will allow new providers, including telcos Verizon Communications Inc. and AT&T Inc., to geographically “cherry-pick” the state.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT PERSPECTIVE ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS TAXES
A Response to Industry’s 2004 COST Study

Read complete NATOA PDF here

The telecommunications industry is conducting a multipronged effort to reduce the level of taxes it pays to local governments. Large sums of money are being poured into national and local advertising in a highly targeted media and lobbying campaign. In addition, the telecommunications industry is litigating against local governments to contest taxes and fees. The industry is also lobbying the federal and state governments to obtain favorable legislation to accomplish the same result.

September 7, 2006

Dear Colleague:

I would like to draw your attention to the attached Reuters article explaining how U.S. state and local governments could lose $8 billion a year in revenue under the national cable franchise reform bill currently being considered by the Senate.

According to a study released yesterday by a coalition of local government organizations, the Senate bill would preempt and greatly impede local government's taxing authority, leading to billions of dollars in annual loses and forcing such government entities to either cut critical services or raise taxes. The full study could be found at http://www.nlc.org/content/Files/LocalGovtPerspective090606.pdf.

from: CNET News

Net neutrality bill may die this year

By Anne Broache
http://news.com.com/Net+neutrality+bill+may+die+this+year/2100-1028_3-6115016.html

Story last modified Wed Sep 13 06:16:40 PDT 2006

WASHINGTON--A rift over Net neutrality is the No. 1 issue holding up a massive communications bill and could cause it to be derailed this year, the chairman of a key U.S. Senate panel said Tuesday.

Note: Here in the NYC area where Verizon has negotiated local franchises and a state franchise in NJ, the company has been advertising their triple play package for $95, a whopping $5 dollar savings over the same offering from cable companies. We guess this is the extent of what can be expected from 'more competition' and 'consumer choice'. We hope the state legislators in New Jersey will be able to explain how their vast public interest give-away was worth such meager 'consumer savings'. State legislators in NY should take notice - instead of 'triple play' they should be demanding 'fair play'.

from: Madison Capital Times

Progressives out of touch on public access television
By Mary Cardona

I was at the Fighting Bob Fest kickoff benefit Friday night at the Barrymore Theatre. The theme was "Hold the Media Accountable."

In the best progressive tradition, one speaker after another rose to talk about the failures of the concentrated corporate media industry, from local broadcast stations that use corporate video press releases and pass them off as objective news segments to the abysmal way American media fell into lock step with the drums of war.

from: Media Week

Telecom Bill May Be Disconnected

Todd Shields

SEPTEMBER 04, 2006 -

Lawmakers returning to Washington this week will be greeted by telephone company lobbyists engaged in a final, uphill push for help in emerging as cable’s competitors.

Verizon and AT&T want final passage of a bill that would let federal officials rather than localities set guidelines for offering video services. Telephone executives say kowtowing to thousands of localities is a barrier to rolling out TV services that offer hundreds of channels over high-speed lines. Cities and counties are fighting the measure, saying it saps their power to protect constituents and rights-of-way.

Note: This is a somewhat technical discussion of AT&T's new data/video service and whether it will really be capable of providing adequate service into the future. An important consideration since Federal Communications Policy is being re-written to accomodate what may be an inferior technical implementation.

from: CableTV.com