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from: TV Technology

Released FCC Video Franchise Rules Favor Telcos

March 9, 2007

The full FCC order on video franchising was released this week, just shy of three months after it was approved in a 3-2 vote. The rules are aimed at helping telcos break into the video delivery game in the name of competition with cable and satellite distributors. The order limits the power of local franchise authorities, which FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said was necessary because LFAs regularly overstep their purview.

from: TVT Newsbytes

Released FCC Video Franchise Rules Favor Telcos

March 9, 2007

The full FCC order on video franchising was released this week, just shy of three months after it was approved in a 3-2 vote. The rules are aimed at helping telcos break into the video delivery game in the name of competition with cable and satellite distributors. The order limits the power of local franchise authorities, which FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said was necessary because LFAs regularly overstep their purview.

Oregon local government officials are united in decrying the severe and negative impact of the new FCC rule on Oregon communities.

March 6, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2007
CONTACTS:
Andrea Fogue – 503 588-6550 (Salem)
David Olson – 503 823-5290 (Portland)
Mary Beth Henry – 503 823-5414 (Portland)

SALEMand PORTLAND– Local officials throughout Oregon reacted today in opposition to the newly-released final version of a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule on competitive video franchising which broadly pre-empts numerous longstanding local video franchising requirements and procedures. The new rule (approved in concept by the FCC December 20,2006 on a 3-2 vote) spells out the details of far-reaching action which voids or undercuts longstanding local authority, and calls into question hard-won public benefits—including requirements that all residents and businesses be served with advanced technology, and support for community channels be continued as previously agreed.

from: Kreucher Law

The FCC’s Competitive Franchising Order: 109 Pages of Posterior Protection

It seems unusual to most in local government that a federal agency can take a vote on a document before that document is even made public . . . but that’s what the FCC did on December 20, 2006, when it adopted its Competitive Franchising Order on a 3-2 vote. The Commission finally released the Order yesterday . . . for those who are counting, that’s seventy-five days later. The Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, all 109 pages of it, can be downloaded here.

from: Massachusetts Municipal Association

FCC rules preempt local franchising authority

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Two and a half months after announcing new cable franchising rules, the Federal Communications Commission yesterday formally published the rules, which significantly limit the role of local governments in the cable licensing process.

from: Ars Technica

Telecoms get a break with new FCC franchise rules

By Eric Bangeman | Published: March 06, 2007

The Federal Communications Commission has published new rules governing cable franchising laws. Approved by a 3-2 vote in December, the rules should make it much easier for telecoms AT&T and Verizon to enter new markets. They are also likely to face a court challenge; more on that later.

from: Telecom Web

FCC's Video-Franchise Order Garners Mixed Reception

The Federal Communications Commission adopted and released its Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding video franchising, and the fur has begun to fly.

In the Order, the commission concludes that the current operation of the franchising process constitutes an "unreasonable barrier to entry that impedes the achievement of the interrelated federal goals of enhanced cable competition and accelerated broadband deployment." Here are a few of the "unreasonable barriers" cited in the Order:

From: Free Press

FCC Cuts Out Local Communities in Video Franchising Order

March 5, 2007

Today, the Federal Communications Commission released a “Report and Order” that would circumvent local control over video franchising and reject longstanding public interest requirements. Representatives of consumer, media reform and media policy groups made the following statements:

from: TV Week

Cities Challenge FCC on Cable Franchise Order

March 5, 2007
By Ira Teinowitz

The formal publication of an FCC order intended to jump-start competition by making it easier for phone companies to obtain local cable franchises has kicked off a major battle with the nation’s cities that could tie up the FCC’s order for years.

from: Denver Business Journal

Qwest lauds FCC's video franchising order

The Denver Business Journal Monday, March 5, 2007
by Bob Mook

Denver Business Journal

Qwest Communications International Inc. on Monday applauded an order from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that would relax the restrictions local authorities can impose on cable franchising agreements.