Save Access

There is more discussion of this at: Broadband Reports. It should be noted that cable companies have often attempted this ploy when negotiating local franchises.

from: Telephony Online

Verizon planning local content unit

from: Philadelphia Inquirer

Verizon's push into TV to cost $18 billion
The second-largest U.S. telephone company wants to compete with Comcast and other cable providers.

By Christopher Stern and Rebecca Barr
Bloomberg News

Verizon Communications Inc., the second-largest U.S. telephone company, said yesterday that it planned to spend $22.9 billion expanding its fiber-optic Internet and television network through 2010, placing a price tag on its effort to compete with the cable-TV business for the first time.

from: NY Times

September 28, 2006
Rural Areas Left in Slow Lane of High-Speed Data Highway

By KEN BELSON
CANAAN, Vt. — For most businesses, the goal is to attract as many customers as possible. But in the fast-changing telephone industry, companies are increasingly trying to get rid of many of theirs.

Note: Here in the NYC area where Verizon has negotiated local franchises and a state franchise in NJ, the company has been advertising their triple play package for $95, a whopping $5 dollar savings over the same offering from cable companies. We guess this is the extent of what can be expected from 'more competition' and 'consumer choice'. We hope the state legislators in New Jersey will be able to explain how their vast public interest give-away was worth such meager 'consumer savings'. State legislators in NY should take notice - instead of 'triple play' they should be demanding 'fair play'.

from: New York Business

City says new cable TV entrants face same rules

by Amanda Fung
August 14, 2006

City Council officials said new cable TV entrants would have to follow the same guidelines as existing franchise-owners.

High-ranking City Council officials said on Monday that new cable TV entrants would have to follow the same guidelines as existing franchise-owners, including financial contributions to public access channels.

from: CNET

No price cuts for Verizon, BellSouth DSL customers

By Marguerite Reardon
Tue Aug 22

Verizon Communications' and BellSouth's DSL customers won't see a reduction in their broadband bills, even though a special fee that had been tacked on to bills to pay for a federal program has been eliminated.

Note; You can download the complete ACLU Complaint at < http://efile.mpsc.cis.state.mi.us/efile/docs/14985/0001.pdf

from: Detroit news

ACLU battles AT&T, Verizon

Gregg Krupa / The Detroit News

from: The Huffington Post

Bad Karma for Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg

Matt Stoller

The entrenched corruption in our political system couldn't happen without a correspondingly corrupt attitude in our corporate boardrooms. The modern business PAC system started in the late 1970s, and I don't think it's a coincidence that corporate power began its (renewed) ascendence in the 1980s. Bribery is bribery, even if it's legal.

from: Business Week

Note: An interesting backstory to this Business Week article below. Also, see the source link above to follow the dialogue in the comments.