Save Access

from: ajc.com

AT&T'S ACQUISITION OF BELLSOUTH
Video a vital battleground

By SCOTT LEITH
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 11/22/06

It's no secret that BellSouth — like the company that plans to buy it, AT&T — wants to go head-to-head in the TV business with cable providers such as Comcast.

from: U.S. Newswire

$4 Million Check from Dems to Nunez Looks Like Laundered AT&T Funds, Should Be Returned

Assembly Speaker Carried Cable Deregulation Bill for AT&T as Company Raised Money for Party

11/20/2006 3:11:00 PM

To: State Desk

Contact: Carmen Balber of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, 310-392-0522 ext. 324

from: Press & Guide Newspapers

Cable bill sails in legislature
Despite opposition from mayors

By Cristen Kis

PUBLISHED: November 22, 2006

DEARBORN/DEARBORN HEIGHTS - Customers with cable subscriptions through Comcast or WOW! may soon have another choice — AT&T. But that additional option could come with a multi-million dollar price tag for local governments.

Note:Red-Lining Alert!
from: Asbury Park Press

Verizon needs to start producing cable network maps

BY ABIGAIL CAPLOVITZ FIELD

Verizon plans to bring cable competition to 316 New Jersey towns, promising choice, lower prices and better service. Sounds great. Unfortunately, Verizon's cable service application to the state Board of Public Utilities doesn't support its pro-consumer rhetoric. The information to back up its promises is missing.

from: ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

Creve Coeur deal puts AT&T's foot in Missouri TV door

By Jerri Stroud
11/17/2006

AT&T's video franchise agreement with Creve Coeur puts the company in position to deliver a bundle of telephone, television and high-speed Internet services over its own network for the first time in Missouri.

from: MultiChannel News

Verizon Still in Local Calif. Franchise Talks

By Linda Haugsted 11/16/2006

Despite the fact that implementation of statewide-franchising rules is less than two months away, Verizon Communications is still negotiating local franchising agreements in California.

from: Technology Daily

Video Franchising Bill Moves In Michigan

By Michael Martinez

(Tuesday, November 14) Lawmakers in Michigan advanced a measure to overhaul video-franchising rules, as the state House approved a measure that would allow new entrants to the video market to bypass localities by applying for statewide video franchises.

See the note at the bottom "Actual (throughput) speeds will vary." It's hard to imagine a press release from any other utility engaged in deregulatory legislation to so boldly assert that their service may be uneven and vary. Imagine a electric utility advertising that "brownouts may occur".

from: Earth Times

from: National Journal

Groups Back Telecom Deal Without FCC Disclosures

October 27, 2006
By David Hatch

Some nonprofits that back the AT&T, BellSouth merger receive considerable funding from the companies but do not disclose the ties in their comments to the FCC. No disclosure is required, but some observers think regulators should be made fully aware of the connections.

From New York Times

Cable and Phone Companies Compete, but Both Thrive

November 1, 2006
By Ken Belson

Investors cannot seem to decide what to do with the stocks of phone and cable companies. Last year, they dumped the shares on the hunch that those industries would be hurt as they moved onto each other’s turf.