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from: Times News

Area city officials oppose AT&T push for video, TV service

Published 01/04/2008 By Hank Hayes

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Officials with Tri-Cities municipal governments expressed opposition to AT&T’s legislative push for a statewide video services franchise while handing out their 2008 policy marching orders to Northeast Tennessee lawmakers Friday.

from: Times Free Pres

Fight for fiber
Thursday, January 03, 2008

By Dave Flessner
Staff Writer

The new year should bring new options for Chattanooga consumers who want high-speed Internet, telephone and cable TV services.

But as the local cable provider, electricity supplier and phone company try to invade one another's traditional turfs in 2008, battles loom in the General Assembly, the courts and ultimately the marketplace among Comcast, AT&T and EPB.

from: Consumers Union

Your World, Delivered. If You Can Figure Out Where We Hid It

January 2, 2008
By Bob Williams

Your World, Delivered.

That is, of course, the current slogan of AT&T. But we think its time for the communications behemoth to modify its catchphrase to better reflect the way it actually operates in the real world. We’re thinking something along the lines of “Your World, Delivered — If You Can Somehow Figure Out Where We Hid It.”

from: Lasar's Letter

The top paid telecom executives of 2006

The Security and Exchange Commission now has a handy-dandy new database that tells you who in the corporate world is making what these days.

These are, of course, the firms that voluntarily disclosed this data. LLFCC couldn't resist downloading the numbers and coming up with this table. Enjoy!

Also worth noting is that Verizon has had no problem securing local franchises in NY and MA where there is no state franchise law.

from: Commercial Appeal

Is cable TV law really needed?
Friday, December 28, 2007

When it was making the rounds in the Tennessee General Assembly last spring, a bill dealing with cable television franchising was jokingly dubbed "the Lobbyists Full Employment Act."

from: Journal Sentinal

Editorial: Competition for cable

A bill signed by Gov. Jim Doyle opens the state for increased competition in video services, which will help consumers if rule-making doesn't needlessly slow the process down.
From the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Dec. 26, 2007

Wisconsin residents should see the value of increased competition for video services now that cable television's hammerlock is about to be pried loose.

from: Palo Alto Daily

Access is difficult on AT&T cable
Palo Alto considers suit against telecom giant
By Kristina Peterson / Daily News Staff Writer

Most Monday nights, the Palo Alto City Council meeting on Channel 26 is just a couple clicks away from any resident with cable television.

from: Madison.com

Prof: Don't hold breath for new services under state cable law

Jeff Richgels and Judith Davidoff — 12/22/2007 7:32 am

Gov. Jim Doyle's signing of the state cable franchising bill isn't likely to mean AT&T -- a leading backer of the bill -- will bring its U-verse TV service to the Madison area anytime soon, one prominent observer said.

from: WISPolitics.com

Gov. Doyle: Signs cable competition bill
12/21/2007

Contact: Carla Vigue, Office of the Governor,
608-261-2162 or 608-575-8577

Improves Consumer Protection Provisions

MADISON - Governor Jim Doyle today signed Assembly Bill 207, legislation that will provide Wisconsin consumers with more cable service choices. The Governor also preserved protections for cable customers through several vetoes.

Note: Our list of Telco 'worst' moments would be a bit longer - and includes items like the ongoing attacks on PEG, exploding telco dslam boxes, and heavy-handed and costly political lobbying. But this list is a good start and it's safe to say the telcos and cablecos need a bit more watching.

from: Huffington Post