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from: MultiChannel News

An Indirect Path to Mandate

By Ted Hearn7/10/2006

Washington— Senate telecommunications legislation would “indirectly” provide the Federal Communications Commission with a new opportunity to impose broad digital broadcast-TV carriage requirements on cable operators, according to Senate Commerce Committee chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska).

from: Monterey County Weekly

Dialing for Dollars
Telecom industry pumps millions into AB 2987.

Jul 06, 2006
By Ryan Masters

On June 19, state Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez threw out the first pitch at a San Francisco Giants game in AT&T Park. In itself, it wouldn’t be a very newsworthy event—especially since the Democratic lawmaker from Los Angeles doesn’t have much of an arm. But many fear that his recent pitch to the Assembly on behalf of telecommunications giants AT&T and Verizon may be a strike against city governments and community media across California.

At present we do not support Senate Bill S.2686 (now renamed HR.5252). The Bill passed on June 28th in the Commerce Committee in a 15-7 vote. It excludes much needed protections against red-lining (there are no enforceable build-out provisions) and also fails to protect net neutrality. These are two key issues we can't compromise on.

From Reuters, July 3, 2006

Verizon’s TV Licensing May Be Only Half the Fight

By Ritsuko Ando

Verizon Communications Inc. looks increasingly impatient to roll out its Web-based television service nationwide, suing a Maryland county last week for hampering its entry, but getting licenses may only be half the battle.

Analysts say that while Verizon’s state-of-the-art fiber optic network allows multiple channels of high-definition video and faster downloading, the phone company must show more proof that its multibillion-dollar investment is worthwhile.

Note: Local Governments are opposing legislative loopholes in S.2686 - especially one that allows AT&T's satellite service to escape video franchising agreements. AT&T uses satellite TV service in areas it has no current or anticipated fiber infrastructure installed.

from: MultiChannel News

from: TV Technology

Stymied Senate Bill Bodes Ill for Broadcast

The telecom bill working its way through Congress could be bad juju for broadcast--should it ever get through the Senate. Tucked within the 10 titles of the bill is legislation that would open up unused broadcast spectrum for unlicensed devices.

from:NWI Times

Gate opens on cable, video franchises

New Indiana law, transferring local control to state, takes effect

BY KEITH BENMAN
kbenman@nwitimes.com

Indiana started taking applications Monday for statewide video franchises, upending the decades-old system by which each locality decided which cable company or companies could operate on its turf.

Senate Commerce Committee Roll Call Vote on S.2686
Here's our scorecard shown with 2005/06 campaign cycle donations.

Voting FOR Senate Bill S.2686
12 Republicans / 3 Democrats
Republicans:
Ted Stevens - Alaska - Chairman $35,750* $22,000** $17,000***
John McCain - Arizona $45,750**
Conrad Burns - Montana $114,090* $85,500** $47,450***
Trent Lott - Mississippi $22,000***

from: National Journal

Frist Wants 60 Votes Before Bringing Telecom Bill To Floor

A Senate bill to overhaul the communications industry could fall victim to the limited legislative calendar and heightened political climate this fall. Senate Majority Leader Frist is considering whether to bring the legislation to the floor this fall, but first he has ordered Commerce Chairman Stevens to get 60 senators on record in support of the measure to overcome a potential filibuster. Even if Stevens succeeds, Frist is likely to weigh the political benefits against a potential policy fight before scheduling a vote. "The clock will be a major factor regardless of whether 60 votes can be found," a Frist aide said today. "[Frist] will take it one step at a time -- he thinks it's time for a major overhaul to the telecommunications laws in the age of the Internet and wireless, but the report needs to be written, Stevens and [Commerce ranking member Daniel] Inouye [D-Hawaii] need to try to get public commitments from 60 colleagues, and then he'll take a look at the calendar and decide if this giant policy and floor fight is appropriate for the 109th Congress, or for the 110th." Stevens said he would negotiate with senators and likely slice off parts of the bill to win votes. But he drew a line in the sand on video franchising changes and provisions to broaden the universal service fund, which provides phone service to rural and low-income areas.

from: USA Today

By Angela Gunn

Dazed and confused

There's just so much doublespeak in here I'm not sure where to begin, but my personal highlights from the audio of Alaska senator Ted Stevens' speech yesterday re Net neutrality are: