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from: Broadcasting and Cable

Franchise Bill May Have Its 60 Votes

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 7/27/2006

Lengthening odds on a telecom bill be-darned, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) told reporters Thursday that he thinks he has the 60 votes he needs to pass a franchise streamlining bill, and one without network neutrality.

from: Nieman Watchdog

Why is Congress considering such anti-consumer telecom bills?

ASK THIS | July 26, 2006

Activist Bruce Kushnick writes that both telecom bills before Congress would be huge giveaways to the very same telecommunications giants that have in the past pocketed massive government subsidies while shafting consumers and knee-capping American competitiveness. But they've taken very good care of members of Congress

from: TPM Cafe

Net Neutrality By the Numbers
Art Brodsky

If Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-AK) thinks the Internet is a complex “series of tubes,” he’s now finding out how difficult it is to navigate legislation through the Senate. At least on the Internet, those pesky little packets can get from one place to another. In the Senate, that outcome isn’t so certain. Bills can be started on their way through the Senate, but never reach the end.

from: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Internet speed must not be based on ability to pay

By BARRY ORTON

Posted: July 22, 2006

Wonder why newspapers and television programs have been full of advertisements from an AT&T puppet "grass-roots" group called "TV4US," pushing the concept that cable TV prices are too high and competition is needed?

from: Ruetuers

U.S. House's Barton sees murky future for telco bill

Thu Jul 20, 2006 11:49 AM ET

By Jeremy Pelofsky

WASHINGTON, July 20 (Reuters) - The prospects of passing legislation this year that would help telephone companies more quickly get licenses to offer television service are "murky," a senior Republican U.S. House of Representatives lawmaker said on Thursday.

from: Technology Daily

Christian Coalition Ramps Up Effort On Behalf Of 'Net Neutrality' Plan

By David Hatch

(Wednesday, July 19) The Christian Coalition will play a critical role in trying to generate needed Republican support for a controversial network neutrality amendment sponsored by Sens. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, and Byron Dorgan, D-N.D.

from: Digital Destiny

AT&T as Ma Censor: Playing the `Indecency’ Card in its Anti-Net Neutrality Campaign

July 15th, 2006

In a reflection of how desperate AT&T’s executives are to stave off an open broadband medium in the U.S., the former SBC is willing to use any tactic—no matter how despicable and dangerous. It appears that AT&T is now seeking to inflame conservative family groups, as well as parents in general, by claiming that network neutrality will usher in a torrent of what it deems to be inappropriate content. Communications Daily reports that an AT&T spokesperson confirmed that:

from: Technology Daily

Senate Panel Rallying Industry In Support Of Telecom Measure

By David Hatch

(Wednesday, July 19) The leadership of the Senate Commerce Committee is quietly rallying industry troops to lobby hard for passage of massive telecommunications legislation adopted by the panel in late June after a marathon three-day markup.

from: Technology Daily

Broadcasters Want Senators To Follow House Telecom Lead

By Drew Clark

(Wednesday, July 12) Broadcasters say they stand to lose if the telecommunications legislation that cleared the Senate Commerce Committee June 28 becomes law, a position that puts another powerful interest group against the expansive approach taken in the Senate.

from: Technology Daily

Wyden Warns Of Market Domination Without 'Net Neutrality' Provisions

By David Hatch

(Friday, July 14) Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., painted a grim portrait of an Internet dominated by telecom and cable giants if legislation approved late last month by the Senate Commerce Committee legislation is enacted into law.