Save Access

from: CNET

AT&T-BellSouth merger vote delayed for third time

By Marguerite Reardon
Story last modified Thu Nov 02 17:23:36 PST 2006

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday delayed for a third time a vote on whether to allow AT&T to acquire BellSouth--a postponement that's due to the commissioners' inability to agree on conditions of the deal.

from: National Journal

Groups Back Telecom Deal Without FCC Disclosures

October 27, 2006
By David Hatch

Some nonprofits that back the AT&T, BellSouth merger receive considerable funding from the companies but do not disclose the ties in their comments to the FCC. No disclosure is required, but some observers think regulators should be made fully aware of the connections.

From New York Times

Cable and Phone Companies Compete, but Both Thrive

November 1, 2006
By Ken Belson

Investors cannot seem to decide what to do with the stocks of phone and cable companies. Last year, they dumped the shares on the hunch that those industries would be hurt as they moved onto each other’s turf.

from: MultiChannel News

Mad Money
Cable, Phone, Net Companies Have Spent $110 Million This Year To Influence Telecom Reform. Was It Worth It?
By Ted Hearn 10/23/2006

Washington— On a cold evening in February, cable and telecommunications lobbyists packed the second floor of restaurant Bistro Bis on Capitol Hill to salute Mitch Rose’s decision to leave an executive lobbying post at The Walt Disney Co. and go into business for himself.

from: Tom Paine

Against An Imperial Internet
Bill Moyers and Scott Fogdall
October 16, 2006

Bill Moyers is host of “The Net At Risk,” a documentary special airing Wednesday, October 18 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings). Scott Fogdall is with Films Media Group. Visit www.pbs.org/moyers.

from: Seattle Times

Editorial
Bell buyout blocked

Jonathan Adelstein and Michael Copps, the two Democrats on the five-member Federal Communications Commission, have thrown a monkey wrench into AT&T's proposed $18-billion buyout of Bellsouth Corp.

Good for them. More such mega-mergers need to be questioned, and blocked, to preserve diversity of ownership in America's industries of communication.

from: Broadcasting & Cable

FTC Issues Municipal Wireless Report
By John Eggerton -- , 10/10/2006 4:59:00 PM

Democratic FTC Commissioner Jon Leibowitz says a new staff report on municipal Wireless Internet networks released by the commission Tuesday should be used to counter state attempts to prohibit cities and towns from creating a government "third pipe" to the home.

from: Technology Daily

Lawmakers Hint At Conditions On AT&T-BellSouth Merger

By David Hatch

(Thursday, September 28) Two influential senators urged the FCC and Justice Department to consider imposing conditions on the proposed AT&T and BellSouth telecommunications merger.

from: Digital Destiny

Shame on the GOP and Dems in California: Gutting Community Oversight of Broadband

If we ever needed evidence about how both major political parties are in the pocket of the telecommunications industry’s very deep pockets, all we need to do is look at California. The new cable law kills the historic and critical role local governments have played in ensuring cable systems are held accountable and required to do public service. Now all franchising (the licensing of cable systems) will be governed by a single statewide agreement. Doling out these “one-size fits all, lowest common denominator” deals will be the feckless Public Utility Commission.

From: Broadcasting & Cable

Telcos Celebrate Franchise Wins

From Broadcasting & Cable, September 29, 2006
By John Eggerton

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Friday signed the state’s new video franchise reform legislation.

The law makes it easier for competitors like telephone companies to get into the multichannel video business in competition to cable.