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There is more discussion of this at: Broadband Reports. It should be noted that cable companies have often attempted this ploy when negotiating local franchises.

from: Telephony Online

Verizon planning local content unit

from: Philadelphia Inquirer

Verizon's push into TV to cost $18 billion
The second-largest U.S. telephone company wants to compete with Comcast and other cable providers.

By Christopher Stern and Rebecca Barr
Bloomberg News

Verizon Communications Inc., the second-largest U.S. telephone company, said yesterday that it planned to spend $22.9 billion expanding its fiber-optic Internet and television network through 2010, placing a price tag on its effort to compete with the cable-TV business for the first time.

from: NY Times

September 28, 2006
Rural Areas Left in Slow Lane of High-Speed Data Highway

By KEN BELSON
CANAAN, Vt. — For most businesses, the goal is to attract as many customers as possible. But in the fast-changing telephone industry, companies are increasingly trying to get rid of many of theirs.

from: Digital Destiny

Telco’s Plot New Challenges to Localism and Cable Broadband

September 22nd, 2006

The telephone broadband giants—AT&T and Verizon—say they are stepping up efforts to scuttle the local cable franchising process. According to Light Reading, they “are working hard at the state level to push statewide franchises into law…” While the phone lobby hopes that Congress will pass the Stevens/Barton/Rush telecom give-away bill this session, they acknowledge that they were blind sighted by the fierce support for network neutrality. “For many of us it’s just been really frustrating,” says Jeff Brueggeman, AT&T VP of regulatory planning and policy in Washington.” As noted in Light Reading, Brueggeman told a conference that he and his colleagues didn’t see the net neutrality log-jam coming. So that’s why they plan to continue state-by-state, to secure laws that preempt the ability of local governments—and their citizens/residents—to ensure broadband services really benefit the public.

for more on this merger, see the Free Press page and send a letter through their campaign.

from: Broadband Reports

FCC Aims to Approve AT&T-BellSouth Merger
With absolutely no conditions...

Note: In Texas, AT&T is now reselling regular cable TV over regular cable. Why would such a 'technological advance' have required such massive state-wide telecommunications reform? Will At&T sell Comcast cable cheaper than Comcast? Is this the realization of 'consumer choice' and 'competition' touted by the phone companies to get their video franchise bills passed?

from: Multichannel News

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'.

Lightreading.com has been tracking the deployment of telco TV boxes in various states. Check these articles for insight and images:

Lightspeed Unauthorized (TEXAS)
AUGUST 29, 2006

Stalking Verizon FiOS in the Jersey Jungle

from: Telecom Web

Cities Slap Telcos Over Franchise Procedures

To hear some municipal officials tell it, AT&T and heavyweight cousin Verizon Communications are employing hardball tactics in their quests for video franchises.

"We believe AT&T was trying to create an appearance of negotiation breakdown, to establish a record in support of statewide [and national] franchise law," says Peter Burchard, city manager of Naperville, Ill., where AT&T recently scrapped plans to deploy "Project Lightspeed" on claims the city council inserted a poison pill (i.e., buildouts) in its franchise proposal (Telecom Policy Report, Aug. 18). Adds sister publication CableFAX Daily, the telco already is knee-deep in a dispute with seven nearby municipalities over their collective moratoria on the issuance of construction permits for its video service. AT&T spokesman Rob Biederman refused to comment on the litigious debate, and repeated calls to additional execs went unanswered.

from: Technology Daily

Telecom, Cable Interests Channel
Donations To Republican Incumbents

By David Hatch
Monday, August 14

Officials of dominant telephone and cable TV companies vying for an upper hand in pending telecommunications legislation are contributing heavily this election season to Republican incumbents who share those firms' deregulatory outlook.