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from: Times News

AT&T pushing to offer cable services statewide

Published 12/16/2007 By Hank Hayes

Gregg Morton is selling an idea the cable companies don’t want you or Tennessee lawmakers to buy.

Morton, the state president of AT&T, is the pitchman for his company having a statewide video services franchise that could shake up Tennessee’s telecommunications industry.

from: Cup of Joe

Wednesday, December 12, 2007
More on AT&T's Plan To Avoid Local Fees

All the noise and furor (and millions spent lobbying state legislators) from AT&T demanding Tennessee law be changed so that AT&T does not have to negotiate with cities for franchise contracts (depriving them of revenue from fees and handing over control of rights-of-way) is apparently not important in Mississippi. In that state, they seem to have no problems working community by community, just as all cable providers currently operate.

from: Ohio Department of Commerce

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12/14/2007

Contact: Barney Wolf at (614) 644-7115
barney.wolf@com.state.oh.us
or

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

VIDEO-SERVICE AUTHORIZATION GRANTED TO TIME WARNER CABLE

Cable provider receives 10-year approval

Ohio Commerce Director Kimberly Zurz today granted statewide video-service authorization to Time Warner Cable LLC.

from: NY Times

December 16, 2007
Wider Spying Fuels Aid Plan for Telecom Industry
By ERIC LICHTBLAU, JAMES RISEN and SCOTT SHANE

This article is by Eric Lichtblau, James Risen and Scott Shane.

WASHINGTON — For months, the Bush administration has waged a high-profile campaign, including personal lobbying by President Bush and closed-door briefings by top officials, to persuade Congress to pass legislation protecting companies from lawsuits for aiding the National Security Agency’s warrantless eavesdropping program.

from: Branson Agent

Gov. Blunt Honored as Technology Statesman of the Year

Missouri Governor's Office Press Release

ST. LOUIS - Gov. Matt Blunt today was honored by the Missouri Enterprise Technology Association as the Technology Statesman of the Year.

"One of the commitments I made when I ran for governor was to create efficiencies in state government by putting Missouri on the cutting-edge of technology," Blunt said. "In health care, I want Missourians to benefit from the most technologically advanced systems of care. In communications, I want Missourians to benefit from the most robust competition possible, competition that includes video cable. In education, I want to provide our students with the tools they need to succeed in the Math, Engineering, Technology and Science based careers of the future."

from: Broadband Reports

Wisconsin Residents Have Concerns About U-Verse
State assembly changes franchise rules and plans move forward

01:33PM Saturday Dec 15 2007 by KathrynV

Earlier this week, the Wisconsin State Assembly agreed to change cable franchise rules and make them statewide.

from: Journal Sentinal

AT&T U-verse access debated
City's low-income areas often lack cable alternative

By RICK BARRETT and BEN POSTON
rbarrett@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Dec. 10, 2007

Offering more than 300 TV and music channels, plus high-speed Internet access, AT&T's new U-verse video service provides a dizzying array of features, such as the ability to program its video recorder via the Internet. Unlike its major cable-television rivals, it also offers the Big Ten Network and NFL Network.

from: The Consumerist"

Local Franchise Authorities Keep Cable Operators In Line

Cable companies must constantly prove their worth to local franchise authorities. The authorities grant the cable providers permission to operate, and can whip them into action for failing to meet basic customer service standards, as reader Darren shows.

from: The Badger Herald

Cable bill reaches governor’s office

by Jessi Polsky
Thursday, December 13, 2007

The Wisconsin State Assembly passed the Video Competition Act Tuesday night, making Gov. Doyle’s signature the last step before the bill becomes law.

If signed by Doyle, the bill will take the power to grant video franchises from local municipalities and place it in the hands of the state government.

from: Daily Cardinal

Opponents of cable bill lobby Doyle to again use partial veto

By: Charles Brace / The Daily Cardinal - December 13, 2007

The bill relating to cable television passed the Assembly Tuesday, but opponents still hope Gov. Jim Doyle will veto portions of the legislation before signing it.