Save Access

Note: Even if HR5252 and S2686 are delayed this Congressional session, the Telcos are succeeding in getting what they want at the state level.

From: Technology Daily

States Taking The Lead On Telecom Law Overhaul

By Michael Martinez

(Monday, June 5) State lawmakers have not waited on their federal counterparts this year for legislation to overhaul existing telecommunications statutes.

Here at saveaccess.org we just came upon this page of the City of Geneva, Illinois. We encourage you to visit their site (they have compelling documents and 'actual' pictures of telco box installations). The city is being sued by AT&T for establishing a moratorium so there would be adequate time to assess the issue. Please go to:
http://www.geneva.il.us/att/Lightspeed.htm

Telco TV boxes may be coming to a sidewalk near you - and there is likely nothing you will be able to do about it! The loss of local control of 'right of way' under new state video franchising laws means that your local city will have to yield control of public spaces to telephone and cable companies operating under those franchises.

frpm: Beacon news

Cities and AT&T begin negotiation

• Model ordinance: Mayor's Conference seeks accord for all towns in region

By Steve Lord
staff writer

The Metropolitan Mayor's Conference has begun negotiating with AT&T so the company can introduce its Internet-based video services in Chicago-area municipalities.

from: TMC Net

Lodi residents may lose yard space to AT&T cabinets: Boxes contain equipment for phone, Internet and video services

(Record, The (Stockton, CA) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Jun. 3

Julie and Sean Whiteley have a nickname for the hulking gray box in the front yard of their Grand Fir Drive home. But it's not an affectionate one.

from: Television Week

June 5, 2006
Telco Video Delayed

Tech, Regulatory Issues Marring AT&T, Verizon Plans
By Jay Sherman

It looks as if the video dreams of the nation's top two telephone companies-hampered by technical glitches, regulatory hurdles and even owners of apartment buildings-will take a bit longer to come to fruition.

from: MultiChannel News

Governors Protest Barton's National Franchise
By Ted Hearn 5/31/2006

The nation’s governors want a pending House bill changed to give states the option to take control of the cable-franchising process from the Federal Communications Commission.

The call for change came in a bipartisan letter by the National Governors Association in connection with a House bill (H.R. 5252) that would federalize cable franchising for new video providers and, in some circumstances, for cable incumbents.

Another state in the sights of Telco state franchising efforts. If you have contacts in North Carolina, alert them to this news ASAP. See www.ncccmc.org for more info/

Friends,

A bill in the N.C. House of Representatives, HB 2047, "The Video Service Competition Act", would eliminate local government authority over cable TV franchising, consolidating the power to grant local video franchises in Raleigh.

South Carolina joins a number of other states where the telcos have won statewide franchises

from:Technology Daily

South Carolina Approves Bill For Statewide Video Franchises

By Michael Martinez

(Revised Wednesday, May 17) The South Carolina Legislature has cleared a measure to overhaul the state's video franchising rules.

from: TMC Net

May 12, 2006

A cable victory for Verizon

(Record, The (Hackensack, NJ) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) May 12--Verizon's plan to sell cable TV over a new fiber network in New Jersey cleared a major hurdle Thursday.

The Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee approved a bill that would grant Verizon a statewide video franchise, allowing it to bypass the lengthy town-by-town negotiating process that has been in place for more than 30 years.