Save Access

from: Multichannel News

FCC Releases Cable-Franchise Order

By Ted Hearn3/5/2007 8:54:00 PM

The Federal Communications Commission Monday released a previously adopted order that gives local governments 90 days to reject or approve cable-service licenses sought by phone companies that already have facilities in city-controlled rights of way.

After much waiting, the FCC finally released the written order of its December 20th, 2006 Ruling "To Ensure Reasonable Franchising Process for New Video Market Entrants."

From Federal Communications Commission, March 5, 2007

In this Report and Order, we adopt rules and provide guidance to implement`Section 621(a)(1) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Communications Act”), which prohibits franchising authorities from unreasonably refusing to award competitive franchises for the provision of cable services.

from: Government Technology

Local Governments Offer the "Truth" on Telecom Reform

Feb 28, 2007 News Release

Facing fierce lobbying efforts, national local government associations launched a new Web site to present the "real truth" on the potential effects of telecommunications reform on communities and consumers.

Be sure to send you letters to House members tellingthem to Stop the FCC!

from: Broadcasting and Cable

House Reschedules FCC Oversight Hearing
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/26/2007

The House Energy & Commerce Committee's Telecommunications Subcommittee has rescheduled its canceled Feb. 15 FCC oversight hearing for March 14, according to an FCC source.

from: National Journal

House Democrats Eye Review Of Telecom Policies
by David Hatch

House Democrats are planning a thorough re-examination of telecommunications and media policies that will feature multiple oversight hearings and fresh legislation, industry and congressional sources said.

Fostering high-speed Internet deployment, ensuring an open and accessible Internet, and overhauling the federal universal service program that subsidizes telecom connections in rural and impoverished areas are among the key issues to be addressed. The competitiveness of the video, telephone and radio marketplaces also will be explored, along with protecting the privacy of phone records and promoting efficient use of spectrum.

Tell the House Commerce
Subcommittee to Stop the FCC!

TAKE ACTION - SEND THIS LETTER TODAY!

from: Media Geek

The FCC to Face up the Senate Commerce Committee

by Paul

From the January 26, 2007 edition of the mediageek radioshow [listen now]:

On February 1st, the Republican dominated Federal communications Commission will have its first hearing in front of a Democratic-controlled Senate Commerce Committee.

from: Technology Daily

Revised Franchising Proposal Woos Missouri's Cable Industry

By Michael Martinez

(Monday, January 29) The video-franchising debate has returned to Missouri, and a key player has switched sides.

Almost a year after killing his own bill on the issue, state Sen. John Griesheimer has introduced legislation to allow for streamlined entry into the Show-Me State video services market. He authored a similar measure last year that appeared to be on the fast track for the governor's desk before it died in the spring.

from: DSL Reports

Cities Say FCC Dishonest About Franchise Issues
Tampa : FCC claims 'complete and abject fiction'
Posted 2007-01-29 by Karl

The FCC voted along partisan lines 3-2 last December to streamline TV franchise rules at the request of the baby bells in order to aid TelcoTV efforts. Some localities say that the FCC and telco lobbyists demonized the existing franchise system to get that vote through and, in some cases, made up stories entirely. Tampa officials are annoyed after the FCC inaccurately claimed they were forcing Verizon to film math tutoring classes in order to get a video franchise. Democratic Commissioner Adelstein has accused FCC chief Kevin Martin of taking telco claims at face value without any independent fact checking.

We closed this campaign at the end of the Senate Hearing on Thursday (2/1/07). Our thanks to all the 4000 individuals who sent letters over the last four days to the Senate Commerce Committee. More than 80,000 letters in total were received by committee members.

There is an archive streaming link of the hearing on the Senate site.

The original post:
The new Senate Commerce Committee meets on Thursday this week in a Hearing entitled: "Assessing the Communications Marketplace: A View from the FCC".