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From: Roll Call

AT&T Takes Shape as Lobbying Giant

February 20, 2007
By Kate Ackley,
Roll Call Staff

When all the lobbyists for the new AT&T showed up for the freshly merged company’s first strategy meeting, they packed into a conference room that one attendee called “the size of a stadium.” The Jan. 22 gathering, which some said topped 70 people, was standing-room only.

frpm: Daily News Journal

AT&T cable bill holds no promise for state consumers
By MARGARET MAHERY

NASHVILLE — Like a bad blind date, AT&T's cable and video service legislation fails to live up to the grand promises and high expectations which preceded its introduction.

from: Belleville News Democrat

Cable competition bill passes Senate

DAVID A. LIEB
Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Senators signed off on legislation Tuesday intended to give TV viewers more choices than their current cable and satellite companies.

The bill would make it easier for telecommunications companies such as AT&T Inc. to begin offering television service to Missourians over their phone and Internet wires. Senators passed the bill 32-2, sending the measure to the House.

Note: The telco mantra for obtaining state and national franchises has been that "competition" = "lower prices". This line is reflected in astroturf campaigns and free market think tank studies. The reality is areas where telcos have entered the market is turning out to be quite different - both telcos and cable companies are raising rates.

from: Washington Post

from: Isen Blog

Benefits of Competition My Ass
Monday, February 19, 2007

Here's a little nugget from today's Washington Post. The headline from the story should be, "Verizon Competes, Rates Climb."

Bills for thousands of Montgomery County cable viewers will increase by 4 percent starting March 1, when Comcast Corp., suburban Maryland's largest cable television provider, raises rates throughout the Washington region.

AT&T secures a local franchise. Note the claim by Cathy Foraker with AT&T; "The rates for both providers tend to go down, as much as 25 percent."

from: The Morning News

Fayetteville, AT&T Reach TV deal
February 20, 2007
By Dug Begley
The Morning News

FAYETTEVILLE -- Letting your fingers do the walking in Fayetteville will soon include your remote.

from: Riedel Communications

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Happiness Is A Warm, Fuzzy Rate Increase

I have the unique pleasure of having not one, but two cable providers, Comcast and Charter. The first is for my home and the second if for this little old beach house we have in Chincoteague Virginia.

from: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

You had to expect it: Video franchise bill hits TV

Sunday, February 18, 2007, 10:40 AM

The first campaign ad of the ‘08 session of the state Legislature has hit the small screen. Sounds strange, doesn’t it?

from: Institute for Southern Studies

Rural Broadband vs. Statewide Franchising Lobbyists

From Institute for Southern Studies, February 15, 2007

Remember FDR’s rural electrification? It transformed the South, or at least the Appalachian Tennessee Valley for every future generation.

Note: In state after state this has been the same story. Telcos promise 'competition' and 'lower cable rates' in exchange for deregulatory legislation - yet prices continue to rise . . .

from: Washington Post

Cable War Fails to Offer Rate Relief in Montgomery