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from: Technology Daily

Rep. Markey Opts To Chair House Telecom Subcommittee

By David Hatch

(Friday, December 1) Veteran Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., a frequent telecommunications industry critic, has decided to head up an influential technology-focused subcommittee next year.

from: Broadband Reports

FCC Loves Their TelcoTV
Crafting new order to grease the rails...

Posted on 2006-12-01

The FCC is planning to use an upcoming report on high cable prices to establish that Satellite and cable providers exist in a "cozy duopoly" and that streamlining the video franchise system for telcos would speed up TV competition. Eager to eliminate city-by-city negotiations (and lobbying), the baby bells have been trying to pass a national franchise law with no luck. They have, however, been successful in passing statewide franchises in Texas, California and New Jersey.

from: CNET News

AT&T launches IPTV in second market

By Marguerite Reardon
Fri Dec 01 2006

AT&T is moving forward with its Internet Protocol television rollout as it begins offering the service in a second city.
On Thursday, the company announced it has launched the service, called AT&T U-verse, in Houston. This is the second market where U-verse services are commercially available. The company debuted the service in June in San Antonio. AT&T has said publicly it plans to expand U-verse to 15 to 20 markets by the end of 2006.

from: TV Week

Markey Takes Telecom Panel Over Committee Chairmanship

By Ira Teinowitz
November 30, 2006

U.S. Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., who sponsored V-chip legislation and has a long history of interest in media issues, has decided to head the House Energy and Commerce Committee's telecom panel rather than take the chairmanship of a full house committee.

from: USA Today

FCC hopes to speed phone companies' entry into TV

By Leslie Cauley, USA TODAY

NEW YORK — Trying to spur competition and beat back cable TV prices, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin has proposed rules to make it easier for phone companies and others to jump into the video business.

from: CNET.com

No 'rubber stamp' on telecom mergers, judge says

By Anne Broache
http://news.com.com/No+rubber+stamp+on+telecom+mergers%2C+judge+says/2100-1036_3-6139838.html

Story last modified Thu Nov 30 16:19:23 PST 2006

WASHINGTON--A federal judge on Thursday continued to press the Department of Justice to explain why he should approve twin mergers involving some of the nation's largest telephone companies, but did not say when he will make a final decision.

from: Grand Rapids WZZM Ch13

You May Have A Choice Between Cable Companies, But At What Price?

Created: 11/28/2006 6:19:18 PM
Updated: 11/28/2006 9:11:54 PM

A bill that would alter the way cable television companies negotiate their deals is making its way through the state legislature. But, there is concern that if that legislation is not amended, it could affect much more than the number of options available to customers.

from: Telecom Web

MI Video-Franchise Bill Draws Beltway Lobbyist Fire

Several Washington, D.C., lobbying and activist groups this week mustered Michigan residents and the network-neutrality issue to oppose pending legislation in that state that would create a border-to-border video-franchising system (TelecomWeb news break, Nov. 11).

from: PR Web

SANTA AND SONS & daughter! continues Million Elf March on Public Access TV for Second Year.

Christmas movie musical "SANTA AND SONS & daughter!" reprises its Public Access Television awareness campaign with holiday showings of the rockin' Santa family in over one hundred cities across the US and internationally.

Competition and Choice raises the rates!

from: Multichannel News

Verizon Sets First FiOS Rate Hike

By Steve Donohue11/20/2006 6:55:00 PM

Verizon Communications plans to raise the rates for its most widely distributed Verizon FiOS TV programming packages by 7.6% in January.