Save Access

from: Cup of Joe

Fiction and Facts on Bill for Cable Franchises

Monday, April 16, 2007
Joe Powell

The state continues to consider handing AT&T a sweet deal to bypass local control of cable franchises and has picked up the support of the ever-dubious lobbying of the Tennessee Center for Policy Research, which continues to exude hearty support for corporate interests and little support for the average Tennessean.

from: KnoxNews.com

Cable industry, local governments oppose AT&T's request for statewide franchise

By KARIN MILLER, news@knoxbusinessjournal.com
April 16, 2007

The biggest — and almost certainly the most expensive — battle on Capitol Hill this year is over an effort by telecommunications giant AT&T to enter the cable television business in Tennessee.

from: Nashville City Paper

Rural lawmakers want AT&T bill to expand broadband to their areas

By John Rodgers
April 16, 2007

State lawmakers from rural areas say that a major bill backed by AT&T to get the company into the television business needs to include provisions to expand broadband Internet into rural parts of the state as well.

from: Shelbyville Times Gazette

AT&T wants to bypass local franchising

Monday, April 16, 2007
By Clint Confehr

LEWISBURG -- Competition for cable TV customers lowered rates elsewhere and a state senator is sponsoring legislation to create statewide franchising for companies delivering TV channels through wires, he said Friday night.

from: Commerical Appeal.com

Competition' could have heavy cost

April 15, 2007

I've waited on the phone 40 minutes for billing assistance and tried repeatedly and unsuccessfully to use features on digital cable that, at one time, worked.

Yes, I am a voice in that growing chorus -- the one cursing the cable giant, Comcast. Now that AT&T is offering an alternative and promising competitive rates, my instinct is to open my arms and give this iconic American company a big Mid-South hug. Then I remember what I would be welcoming into my home.

from: Commerical Appeal.com

Bills would create digital 'haves' and 'have-nots'

April 15, 2007
Cable TV prices only seem to move in one direction -- up and then up some more.

So in theory, letting phone companies shift into the TV business should be a good thing. But a bill now moving through the Tennessee legislature that promises more video competition could actually leave most Tennessee consumers with higher bills and fewer benefits.

from: Commerical Appeal.com

Editorial 04/15
Don't be misled on cable law

April 15, 2007

The experiences are familiar to many cable television customers throughout the Mid-South: Channels that go fuzzy for unexplained reasons. Bills that go up with little or no warning. Calls seeking customer service that go nowhere fast.

from: Commercial Appeal.com

Cable clash
Gloves are off as AT&T's bid to enter market nears showdown

By Richard Locker
April 15, 2007

NASHVILLE -- You've seen the TV ads in the big fight in the Tennessee legislature among the cable industry, the telephone giant that wants into the cable business, and local governments wanting to retain their authority to award cable franchises.

from: Tennessean.com via: Keep it Local Tennessee

It's 'lobbyists gone wild' in the legislative telecommunication fight

By LARRY DAUGHTREY
Sunday, 04/08/07

Dick Armey, majority leader for the Gingrich Gang that voters ousted from control in Washington in November, had some words of wisdom for the Tennessee legislature last week:

from: Chattanooga Pulse

Civic Forum
Guard Your Local Cable Franchise Like It’s Your Remote - I want competition as much as the next guy, but not at this cost

by Joe Lance

April 11, 2007

I noticed the ads for “cable” first. Cable is great, they preened. I scratched my head, and flipped to a different cable channel. It’s not a new concept. So why the big advertising buy? Why now? Some time before I started seeing opposing spots, for “the new AT&T,” I read about legislation that would introduce the beautiful Tennessee countryside — all of it — to hi-speed internet. Hmm. Expand broadband access. Uncle Cable and Ms. Bell duel in the public square. Slowly, and with generous assistance from folks like R. Neal at KnoxViews.com, these ideas began to connect.