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from: Times-Reporter

Lawmakers Seek to End Local Franchise Agreements in Ohio

May 11, 2007
By Paul E. Kostyu

Cable television bills could go down if backers of legislation passed in the Ohio Senate are right. If they’re wrong – expect to pay more or not be able to get service at all.

Senate Bill 117, which overwhelmingly passed this week, creates a state franchising system for cable systems and ends local agreements with individual companies. It’s a fundamental change in how cable companies operate in Ohio.

from: Eldo Telecom

Saturday, May 12, 2007
Colorado video franchise fight reveals true goal of provider "competition," Comcast's hypocrisy

Here's an interesting story from the Rocky Mountain News that illustrates what the real competition between cable companies and telcos is all about. It's not about which can capture the most customers in a given market -- the traditional measure of market competition -- but rather who can force the other guy to provide service to everyone in a given local government jurisdiction.

from: Madison.com

Editorial: Do the right cable reform

An editorial
May 9, 2007

The state Senate's decision to slow down deliberations on a proposal to put state government in the business of licensing cable television systems is appropriate and necessary.

from: HTR News
Posted May 10, 2007

Cable bill passes Assembly

MANITOWOC - A cable TV bill advocates say will spur competition benefiting consumers passed in the State Assembly Wednesday 66-28.

State Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer, D-Manitowoc, opposed the measure, while Frank Lasee, R-Bellevue, voted in favor of Assembly Bill 107.

from: Democratic Media

The Universe According to AT&T’s U-verse

By: Jennifer Harris

AT&T's leap into the converged world is illustrated in its two-pronged IPTV approach, Homezone and U-verse. IPTV is a system that enables digital television sets to be programmed using the more personalized data delivery method of the Internet – Internet Protocol.

from: Sheperd Express

City Plans To Challenge FCC Ruling on Cable TV Agreements

by Dennis A. Shook

May 10, 2007

There is a struggle being fought in Madison and Washington, D.C., to see who controls your TV set.

The big winners could well be the cable TV providers, such as Time Warner cable, and would-be providers, such as AT&T. But guess who might end up losing in the deal?

from: Orlando Sentinel

Critics urge cable-bill veto

Posted May 10, 2007

TALLAHASSEE -- It's called the Consumer Choice Act of 2007, but consumer activists have joined city officials from across Florida in urging Gov. Charlie Crist to veto the legislation that's designed to increase cable-television competition and lower rates.

from: Knox Views

News Sentinel editorial on AT&T cable franchise bill

by R. Neal
Tue, 2007/05/08