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from: Lasar's Letter

Media reformers, telcom workers union put positive spin on AT&T/BellSouth deal

by Matthew Lasar Dec 30 2006

Advocates of media democracy generally don't like mergers, but in the case of the Federal Communications Commission's approval of AT&T/BellSouth, they're willing to look on the bright side.

from: Carlini’s Comments

With AT&T, BellSouth Merger Approved, Bell ‘Revestiture’
1/3/2007

Carlini’s Comments, MidwestBusiness.com’s oldest column, runs every Wednesday. Its mission is to offer the common man’s view on business and technology issues while questioning the leadership and visions of “pseudo” experts.

from: Chicago Sun-Times

FCC makes wrong call for consumers

January 3, 2007

The recent FCC ruling, ''Path clears for competition in cable market'' [news story, Dec. 21], represents another salvo in the telephone industry's attempts to gain control of the video market. With cable prices on the rise, the nation's telephone companies claim to offer increased competition and lower prices. They convinced the Federal Communications Commission (three Republicans, two Democrats), which by a partisan 3-2 vote flipped telecommunications reform on its head and ensured that the public will bear the burden.

“I call them the black ninjas. They work by night and are very, very good.”
- past FCC Chairman Bill Kennard explaining telco lobbyists

In a holiday present to Wall Street, the FCC approved the 85 billion dollar AT&T/BellSouth merger. The combined company will have an estimated $100 billion dollars in annual revenue, employ 300,000 people, and control 22 states, including local phone service to 70 million and DSL service for 11 million.

from: Technology Daily

AT&T-BellSouth Deal Could Affect 'Net Neutrality' Debate In Congress

By Andrew Noyes

(Tuesday, January 2) The FCC's approval of a merger between AT&T and BellSouth late last week could have implications for the so-called network neutrality debate in Congress, observers said.

From TV Week

FCC Video Franchise Vote Out of Bounds

January 1, 2007
By Marianne Paskowski

Just days before Christmas, the Federal Communications Commission in a 3-2 vote removed a barrier for phone companies entering the video business by mandating that municipalities must decide on franchise requests within 90 days, not the usual six-month window or more that cable incumbents have endured for decades.

Republican Majority Attack Cities and Loot Community Television Centers Across the Country

On Wednesday Dec. 20th, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted in favor of MB 05-311, adopting "Rules to Ensure Reasonable Franchising Process for New Video Market Entrants." The vote was split on partisan lines with three Republicans voting for and the two Democrats against the new rules. The ruling is expected to be challenged in the courts on numerous fronts since it imposes FCC authority over the existing legislative rights of local governments.

From: National League of Cities

FCC Decision on Video Franchising Is Detrimental for Local Government

December 20, 2006

“We are confounded by today’s decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that would systematically block the ability of local governments to protect their citizens, local assets and revenues.

From: HearUsNow.org

Consumers Union Says FCC Move on Video Competition Risky

From HearUsNow.org, December 22, 2006

Consumers Union called the Federal Communications Commission’s decision today to let phone companies begin offering video services without adhering to basic consumer protection requirments a risky move based on only flimsy evidence that consumers will actually benefit from the move.

From: Tech Dirt

FCC Blames Your Town for the Uncompetitive TV Market the FCC Helped Create

December 21, 2006

Yesterday the FCC voted 3-2 along partisan lines to pass new guidelines that make it easier for Baby Bells to get into the TV business, protecting them from “unreasonable build-out requirements” by municipalities — though the new rules don’t really specify what “unreasonable” means.