Save Access

from: National Journal

Wired In Washington

So Long To Massive Telecom Bill

By David Hatch

(Editor’s note: David Hatch’s ‘Wired In Washington’ column appears on alternate Wednesdays in CongressDailyAM. The below column was first published on February 7. Hatch regularly covers telecommunications for National Journal's Technology Daily, and is a contributing editor to CongressDaily and National Journal magazine.)

Note: This is off topic for saveaccess, but worth repeating. Remember that the FBI (and NSA) need network access to run these traps, and compliant companies, such as AT&T and Verizon. The EFF lawsuit with AT&T over the NSA scandal is still pending, hopefully this latest FBI admission will shed more light on these practices

from: The Mercury News

Local governments: FCC not playing fair

JOHN DUNBAR
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - The nation's chief telecommunications regulator stands accused of misrepresenting the facts while pushing through rules that will make it easier for big phone companies to get into cable television.

SA Note: The Telephone companies have been using increased cable rates as a justification for deregulating their entry into cable delivery services (by eliminating public interest requirements, local control, etc). Cables pricing was deregulated federally in the '96 Telecom Act, since then, only local municipalities maintain some a level of control over pricing. The FCC is fueling the fire of the Telco campaigns by further deregulating cable prices, often in advance of Telco deployment and by removing the authority of local municipalities to limit rate increases.

from: Technology Daily

Senate Panel Won't Pursue Sweeping Telecom Measure

By David Hatch

(Tuesday, January 23) Senate Commerce Committee officials confirmed that Chairman Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, will pursue a series of small, targeted telecommunications bills -- and not sweeping legislation.

from: Forbes

TV: The Bells’ Next Battle

From Forbes, January 24, 2007

Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin Martin and his fellow commissioners will get their first taste of life under a Democratic majority on Feb. 1.

Martin and his cohorts are scheduled to appear before the Senate Commerce Committee, where they’ll have to address, among other issues, why they voted to override certain state and local laws that govern applications by AT&T and Verizon to sell TV service and to require local governments to act on those applications within three months. (Never mind that the FCC itself took nine months—months longer than it was supposed to—to act on AT&T’s recent application to take over BellSouth.)

from: Baltimore Sun

Lobbyists Turn Their Attention to States

From Baltimore Sun, January 24, 2007
By Joel Barkin

Have you heard the one about the lobbyists who got shut out of Washington, D.C.? They all decided to set up shop in the states instead. Not laughing? That’s because it’s not a joke. It’s how lobbyists are reacting to the Democratic takeover of Congress.

from: Technology Daily

Rep. Dingell Is Back In Charge,But With Some Changed Views

By David Hatch

(Monday, January 22) Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., the new chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, is a readily recognizable face in Washington and on the panel.

Note: Another case of the FCC and telecom industry withholding information that might otherwise lead to a better informed and transparent public policy.

from: Center for Public Integrity

Center's Suit To Get Broadband Data Draws Industry Interest, Comment
AT&T, Verizon Intervene in Center's Suit Against FCC

from: Multichannel News

Q/A with Nick Miller, Miller & Van Eaton

Nick Miller is an expert in the law and policy governing cable television and telephone regulation, and in the legislative aspects of communications law. He represents local governments, airports, and national local government associations in cable television and telecommunications matters. He has worked extensively with international multilateral agencies engaged in telecommunications policy advice to developing countries. Miller talked to Focus on Customer Care about franchising. An edited transcript follows: