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from: The Independent Weekly

JUNE 6, 2007
Cities fight bill to limit broadband
Legislature considers move some call "No Competition Act"

BY FIONA MORGAN

The state legislature is considering a bill that would severely restrict the ability of local governments to provide broadband Internet access. It would affect everything from Chapel Hill's evolving plan for downtown wi-fi access to city partnerships with private industry to some rural communities' efforts to provide access to citizens stuck with nothing but dial-up.

from: Desmoines Register

Qwest says it's not ready to make the call on cable TV
A new law makes it easier for phone and cable companies to enter new markets.

By WILLIAM RYBERG
REGISTER BUSINESS WRITER

June 7, 2007

Qwest, Iowa's largest local phone company, is studying whether to get into the cable TV business in Iowa, but it's not ready to say that it will for sure - even though the company was a major backer of a bill designed to open the door for more competition.

from: Leader Online

Akron Council opposes SB 117

By Stephanie Kist

DOWNTOWN AKRON — The 11 members of Akron City Council present for the June 4 meeting voted unanimously to oppose Ohio Senate Bill 117. Councilwomen Reneé Greene (D-Ward 4) and Terry Albanese (D-Ward 6) were absent.

The resolution, which was sponsored by Councilman Michael Williams (D-at large), has been on Council’s agenda for several weeks as the bill, which would introduce changes to cable franchising in Ohio, made its way through the legislature in Columbus.

from: Patriot Ledger

SPEAK OUT: Communities must retain local cable control

By FRANK LYNAM

Consumers in Massachusetts have a great deal at stake if the Legislature approves special-interest legislation to eliminate municipalities from the cable licensing and renewal process.

from: CCTV

Strong Opposition to Verizon Bill at Cable Franchising Hearing

I recently returned from the first half of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy hearing on cable franchising in Gardner Auditorium at the MA State House today. The near capacity-filled room was dotted with bright yellow, green, and pink stickers that read, "Don't Mess with Access" worn by opponents of the bill.

from: Spinal Column

AT&T entrance into local market prompts utility box concerns

June 06, 2007 - Recent enactment of a new state law pertaining to cable television franchising is the catalyst for AT&T approaching several local communities for permission to begin providing Internet protocol (IP) television, Internet and phone service in the lakes area. Officials in some communities — while not trying to stifle competition for Comcast — have concerns with the new law, which some have argued will curb funding through set fees the service providers pay. Other municipal officials fear utility upgrades by AT&T could have negative aesthetic and public safety effects in their communities, which receive revenues from cable companies in two ways.

from: Verizon Investor Conferences

From the Lehman Brothers 2007 Equity Research Worldwide Wireless and Wireline Conference with Doreen Toben, EVP and CFO, May 31, 2007. Doreen's comments confirm past statements made by telco executives when speaking to investor groups, that local franchising is not a problem (it suits their rate of roll-out actually).

Dear Friends,

YOU have made a difference today.

In the House Public Utilities Committee there seemed to be a change in the wind. Thanks to your calls more than 20 amendments were passed along to the chair of the committee. Based on that, they decided not to have amendments and a vote today, but to rather accept more testimony and to work on the amendments this week, culminating in a committee meeting next Tuesday at 11am where it is likely the bill will be amended and passed.

from: Boston Globe

Verizon officials catch static over cable TV plan

By Carolyn Y. Johnson, Globe Staff
June 6, 2007

At a packed Beacon Hill hearing yesterday, top officials from Verizon Communications Inc. faced skeptical questions about a telecommunications bill yesterday from a legislative committee and a crowd that hissed and heckled at times.

from: Boston.com

Bill would shift review of cable TV franchises to state level

By Mark Jewell, AP Business Writer | June 5, 2007

BOSTON --Local cable television markets across much of Massachusetts could be opened up to new competition under a proposal before state lawmakers.