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from: Kane County Chronicle

County prepares for boxes

By PAUL DAILING - pdailing@kcchronicle.com

A new state law allows AT&T to create a statewide cable service network, but residents and governments will be the ones dealing with the large utility boxes that the system requires.

from: Knox News

Lobbying costs hit $11M in AT&T, cable TV industry battle

By Tom Humphrey (Contact)
Tuesday, November 20, 2007

NASHVILLE - Lobbying expenses in Tennessee's legislative war between AT&T and the cable television industry reached the $11 million plateau this year, according to reports filed with the Tennessee Ethics Commission by major participants.

from: CNET

'Barron's' sees AT&T bidding for EchoStar

By Reuters
Published: November 18, 2007, 1:30 PM PST

AT&T is trying to put together a bid for EchoStar Communications before the end of the year, whetted by the satellite operator's recent stock dip, according to Barron's financial newspaper.

from: Madison.com

SAT., NOV 17, 2007 - 11:05 PM
Cable bill may not be boon to consumers
By MARK PITSCH
608-252-6145
mpitsch@madison.com

Supporters of a statewide cable competition bill, including telecommunications giant AT&T, have been saying for more than a year that the measure will offer Wisconsin consumers more television choices and lower prices.

from: Madison.com

SAT., NOV 17, 2007 - 11:06 PM
Cable competition bill's other consequences

If the cable competition bill becomes law as expected, it won't only affect whether more than one company offers paid-television services in some communities:

CUSTOMER SERVICE: Local governments wouldn 't be able to require companies to meet certain customer service standards.

from: The Altoona Star

Cable and video franchising: We deserve better
November 16th, 2007 by Senator Vinehout

Imagine a world in which only a machine answered the phone when you went to complain about your cable service, or your service was turned off even though your bill said you owed nothing. Where large refrigerator-size boxes were placed in your front yard and you had no say over them, or your street was torn up by a private company and local taxpayers had to pay to clean up the mess.

from: Herald-News

Chamber Discusses Video Franchise Bill

November 14, 2007
By John B. Carpenter

The Dayton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors stopped short of a formal endorsement of video franchising reform legislation Monday but generally expressed approval for AT&T’s bid for a statewide franchise to provide TV programming over its existing network of telephone lines.

from: Times Gazette

Cable / phone fight heats up again
Friday, November 16, 2007
By Brian Mosely

The cable television industry is gearing up for another fight in the Tennessee State Legislature against AT&T, which is planning to promote a bill next year that the cable industry claims would hurt consumers by dismantling the local franchise law.

from: News Channel 9

Cable Wars Continue in Chattanooga

November 15, 2007
By Karen Zatkulak

It’s another bill that most everyone says is just too high — cable. But right now, folks in Chattanooga only have one choice for that service. City council members want to change the situation.

from: Knox News

AT&T wins over Hamilton County

In advance of the next legislative session, AT&T representatives have been working hard to convince local governments across Tennessee that its statewide video-services franchising proposal won't mean fewer fees and less control for cities and counties.