Save Access

Note: Even if HR5252 and S2686 are delayed this Congressional session, the Telcos are succeeding in getting what they want at the state level.

From: Technology Daily

States Taking The Lead On Telecom Law Overhaul

By Michael Martinez

(Monday, June 5) State lawmakers have not waited on their federal counterparts this year for legislation to overhaul existing telecommunications statutes.

from: Multichannel news

Esser Sermonizes on Franchise Reform
By Karen Brown6/6/2006 5:58:00 PM

Chicago -- Cox Communications Inc. president Pat Esser turned his podium into a pulpit at the Globalcomm telecom convention here Tuesday, delivering a stern sermonlike keynote accusing Bell competitors of trying to gain a regulatory free pass into video to make up for their own delays in developing those services.

Here at saveaccess.org we just came upon this page of the City of Geneva, Illinois. We encourage you to visit their site (they have compelling documents and 'actual' pictures of telco box installations). The city is being sued by AT&T for establishing a moratorium so there would be adequate time to assess the issue. Please go to:
http://www.geneva.il.us/att/Lightspeed.htm

Interesting details of the emerging IPTV technologies and the differences between AT&T and Verizon applications. It's unfortunate that the delivery of these technical advances are predicated on public interest sacrifices.

from: ZD Net

IPTV prepares for prime time

By Marguerite Reardon

Telco TV boxes may be coming to a sidewalk near you - and there is likely nothing you will be able to do about it! The loss of local control of 'right of way' under new state video franchising laws means that your local city will have to yield control of public spaces to telephone and cable companies operating under those franchises.

The deadline for filing public comments with the FCC about the AT&T-BellSouth merger is today (June 5th). Please take a moment to send a letter via the Free Press web site! This 69 Billion dollar merger will make AT&T the largest telephone company in the world.

Note: The deadline for filing FCC Comments is today (June 5th). Please take a moment to send a letter via the Free Press web site!

from:Broadcasting and Cable

AT&T/BellSouth Opponent Weigh In

From: Digital Destiny

Hey! Guess Who Helps Fund the Heritage Foundation? AT&T and Verizon

Ready as always to weaken the public interest potential of U.S. communications, James L. Gattuso wrote a anti-network neutrality “Backgrounder” for the Heritage Foundation (released June 2, 2006). Subtitled “Will Congress Neuter the Net?”, the piece is a politically timed missive designed to undermine the growing pressure on Congress to enact network neutrality safeguards. It contains the usual litany of rationalizations and under-developed analysis used by big cable and phone advocates to criticize network neutrality.

A surprising admission from AT&T CEO Whitacre. The Telcos have been claiming that competition will lower prices and they have repeatedly used this argument in their push for state and national video franchising. Apparently what the telcos tell Congress is much different from what they tell Wall Street

from: Broadcasting and Cable

Note: Unlike AT&T and Verizon, RCN has not used pressure techniques to acquire favorable state and national franchises. Instead they compete directly with cable companies by offering improved service and infrastructure.

from: Washington Post

Taking On Telecom Goliaths