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Note: A pity the US media can't seem to discuss net neutrality as clearly as this piece from the UK

from: The Register

Net neutrality has ruined the web

By Thomas C Greene in Washington

Published Thursday 22nd June 2006 07:53 GMT

Comment I thought I knew something about networking, but according to an animated cartoon (http://www.internetofthefuture.org/) by telco lobbyists, I've been laboring under numerous misconceptions. For example, I'd always believed it possible to increase both capacity and bandwidth without the kind of traffic discrimination that the telcos would like to introduce. Apparently, that's wrong.

Note: If the Telcos continue to whine about the cost of rolling out their video delivery service - and they feel the need exact a massive public service giveback in the form of fewer PEG services, elimination of net neutrality and the elimination of local control over right of way - then maybe their business model is terribly wrong. If this is the public cost necessary for phone company competition in cable TV - it's not worth it.

from: MultiChannel News

Louisiana Passes Franchise-Reform Bill

By Linda Haugsted 6/20/2006 5:31:00 PM

A franchise-reform bill that will allow incumbent cable operators to immediately opt into state franchises has been approved by the Louisiana State Legislature.

The bill passed Monday, the last day of the state's legislative session. It must now be signed by Gov. Kathleen Blanco in order to become effective.

from: Boston Globe

Move toward new cable TV rules may short low-income regions

By Associated Press | June 12, 2006

PHILADELPHIA -- Looking to quickly leap into the business of delivering TV broadcasts, telephone companies are leading efforts to rewrite the rules that for decades have given local governments control over who provides cable television in their areas.

from: USA Today

Control over cable TV shifting
Phone companies want power to go to state, fed level

By Deborah Yao
The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA — Phone companies are leading efforts to rewrite rules giving local governments control over cable TV in their areas.

Under bills passed or pending in at least 14 states and Congress, pay-TV control would shift to state or federal regulators. That would mean phone and cable companies no longer would have to make individual local franchise deals.

from: Detroit Free Press

Cable fight winner unclear
Competition could help consumers, maybe

BY DAWSON BELL
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

June 11, 2006

Dumping Michigan's community-based cable television system for franchising and regulation could touch off a price war that benefits people who watch television, use the Internet and make phone calls.

"Broadband Reports said users of its online forums learned that the basic bundle of 170-channel TV service plus 1.5-megabit-per-second Internet access would cost $85 a month. The top tier of more than 200 channels with 6-megabit-per-second access would cost $114 a month." One wonders if this is the $30-40 dollar savings Upton and other COPE supporters touted on the floor of the House when voting the Bill through.

from: Broadband Reports Please see the source for links to supporting documents. The recent AT&T lawsuits trace back to a history (since 2003) of SBC/AT&T fighting the city over their attempts to offer municipal broadband. Apparently this huge corporation hold nasty grudges.

Interview: Fighting AT&T
Peter Collins, IS Manager for Geneva, Illinois

Note: This is an dangerous development in the telco push for State Video Franchises. AT&T and Verizon attempted to make this artificial distinction in the House Bill (HR 5252), but even Congressional Representatives wouldn't buy it (though COPE Bill sponsor Rep. Barton did entertain it). In any event, one can only wonder if the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control is now a subsidiary of AT&T or just completely unaware of ongoing Federal legislation.

Note: Indiana just passed a state-wide video franchise bill and already Time Warner is threatening to limit PEG delivery under the new legislation. This same scenario played out in San Antonio, Texas (see: this site) where the Time Warner PEG services and channels went off air after that state-wide bill passed. Anyone who still believes state and national video franchises won't impact PEG need only look at these two precedents.