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from: Ars Technica

Congress to FCC: You've got some splainin' to do

2/13/2007 3:48:17 PM, by Nate Anderson

Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) doesn't mess around. He currently chairs the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and he's gearing up for a full-scale FCC hearing on February 15. He has already issued a string of pointed questions to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin that make one thing clear: Martin should not expect a rosy reception.

from: Digital Destiny

FCC’s Kevin Martin and White House’s Catherine Martin Meet–and Show Disregard–for the Press

It’s interesting to think about how both FCC Chair Kevin Martin and his wife, Bush White House aide Catherine J. Martin, view the news media. Kevin–in pursuing his plans for further news media consolidation and his policy for a non-neutral broadband digital system for the U.S.–is ultimately helping undermine a robust (and potentially combative to status quo) news media environment. Much like his predecessor Michael Powell, Kevin Martin isn’t really interested in learning about the facts roiling the news business today–and likely tommorow.

from: MultiChannel News

Martin to Meet Privately with House GOP Panelists
By Ted Hearn2/7/2007 6:10:00 PM

Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin Martin is scheduled to meet privately with just GOP members of the House Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee two days before he and other FCC members are to testify in public before the Democratic-controlled panel.

Send FCC Chairman Martin a Heart(ache)

Free Press is running this campaign to send FCC Chairman Martin a valentine, asking that he stop the growing media conglomerates, prevent phone companies from destroying Net Neutrality and help foster more diverse voices and points of view.

It's a light piece and we encourage you to play along in the fun at http://www.freepress.net/valentine/

from: On The Media

Commerce Claws
February 09, 2007

50-year Congressional veteran John Dingell (D-MI) took over leadership of the Commerce Committee last month. He tells us he’s none too happy with the FCC’s recent performance. And he plans to tell the commissioners why in a public hearing next week.

This is a significant finding since the FCC is also using broadband penetration as a justification for creating national video franchising. Any national media policy must be developed upon legitimate and accurate information.

from: Broadband Reports

Surprise: More Criticism of FCC Broadband Data

From: Variety

Senate Democrats question FCC
Oversight hearing brings Martin to Hill

By WILLIAM TRIPLETT

Commercial television is "in the worst state ever," the Federal Communications Commission is not "suppressing" information, the FCC's last go at revising media ownership rules was "a spectacular failure," and a more equitable deployment of high-speed Internet services isn't just "feel-good liberal theory."

from: Multichannel News

Hot Seat Awaits Martin
Democrats Likely to Scrutinize FCC Chairman’s Decision
By Ted Hearn1/29/2007
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Washington— For the past two years, Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin Martin hasn’t feared congressional meddling while Republicans controlled all the key committees.

from: Wi-Fi Networking News

Transparency in Broadband Availability Lacking

January 24, 2007
By Glenn Fleishman

The FCC requires broadband firms to report by Zip code, the UK’s regulator Ofcom by actual lines installed: I’ve come across a situation that’s relatively well known in the industry, but I’m not quite sure that the average person gets this. And the average reporter clearly does not. When the FCC says that 99 percent of the US population has access to broadband—not subscribes to, but is passed by service they could choose to subscribe to—they are deriving this in the following specious way: 95 percent of Zip code areas in the US have at least a single subscriber to a broadband service. Further, broadband is 200 Kbps or faster in either direction.

It's important to note that cables rates have risen as a result of Congressional deregulation in the 1996 Telecom Act. While the rate of increase is at issue - the cause should be understood as deregulation. The Telco astroturfs have made cable rate increases a rallying cry while pushing for even greater deregulation over voice/data/television services.

from: Broadcasting and Cable