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Community Media Advocates Influence California Cable, Phone and Broadband Bill
Note: Congrats to our CA friends for doing such great work to protect PEG in the upcoming state legislation.
from: California Progress Report
Community Media Advocates Influence California Cable, Phone and Broadband Bill
By Ron Cooper
Executive Director
Access Sacramento
Why is Congress considering such anti-consumer telecom bills?
from: Nieman Watchdog
Why is Congress considering such anti-consumer telecom bills?
ASK THIS | July 26, 2006
Activist Bruce Kushnick writes that both telecom bills before Congress would be huge giveaways to the very same telecommunications giants that have in the past pocketed massive government subsidies while shafting consumers and knee-capping American competitiveness. But they've taken very good care of members of Congress
Net Neutrality By the Numbers
from: TPM Cafe
Net Neutrality By the Numbers
Art Brodsky
If Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-AK) thinks the Internet is a complex “series of tubes,” he’s now finding out how difficult it is to navigate legislation through the Senate. At least on the Internet, those pesky little packets can get from one place to another. In the Senate, that outcome isn’t so certain. Bills can be started on their way through the Senate, but never reach the end.
Telcos Try Viral Lobbying
from: Digital Trends
Telcos Try Viral Lobbying
By Mark Fleischmann
July 27th, 2006
You’ve seen the television commercials urging relief from cable price hikes. A red line on a black bar graph—labeled food, electric water, gas, cable bills—inches steadily upward as viewers are exhorted to lobby their congresspeople for lower cable rates. Who is behind the campaign that includes these TV4US ads and wewantchoice.com?
Mayor wants to know why Rep voted for cable bill
from: Hometown Life
Mayor wants to know why Knollenberg voted for cable bill
BY STACY JENKINS
STAFF WRITER
Farmington Hills Mayor Vicki Barnett wants to know why U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-9th District, voted for U.S. House Bill 5252, the cable franchising bill known as the Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement Act of 2006.
The Phone Companies Still Don't Get It
from: Business Week
Note: An interesting backstory to this Business Week article below. Also, see the source link above to follow the dialogue in the comments.
"FYI ... Below is a useful article on community access to unused TV channels ("white space") that appears only online (not in print) thanks to pressure from Verizon. As you know, most of us have supported Title VI in the pending Senate bill, which directs the FCC to make this so.
Internet speed must not be based on ability to pay
from: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Internet speed must not be based on ability to pay
By BARRY ORTON
Posted: July 22, 2006
Wonder why newspapers and television programs have been full of advertisements from an AT&T puppet "grass-roots" group called "TV4US," pushing the concept that cable TV prices are too high and competition is needed?
Barton sees murky future for telco bill
from: Ruetuers
U.S. House's Barton sees murky future for telco bill
Thu Jul 20, 2006 11:49 AM ET
By Jeremy Pelofsky
WASHINGTON, July 20 (Reuters) - The prospects of passing legislation this year that would help telephone companies more quickly get licenses to offer television service are "murky," a senior Republican U.S. House of Representatives lawmaker said on Thursday.
Why Verizon picked Montgomery for its battle
from: Maryland Gazette Net
Why Verizon picked Montgomery for its battle
‘‘I’m shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!”— Capt. Renault in ‘‘Casablanca”
When Verizon recently dug into its vast bag of armaments and lobbed a lawsuit at Montgomery County, the only one apparently surprised by the move was County Council Vice President Marilyn Praisner. In a statement released after the July 4 holiday, Praisner admitted to being ‘‘stunned to have these false accusations by Verizon leveled against Montgomery County.”
Christian Coalition Ramps Up NN Effort
from: Technology Daily
Christian Coalition Ramps Up Effort On Behalf Of 'Net Neutrality' Plan
By David Hatch
(Wednesday, July 19) The Christian Coalition will play a critical role in trying to generate needed Republican support for a controversial network neutrality amendment sponsored by Sens. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, and Byron Dorgan, D-N.D.
