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from: MultiChannel News

Tennessee Franchising Bill Aims To Extend Broadband Services
Proposal Would Assign Franchising Authority To State Regulators
by Linda Haugsted
Multichannel News
4/7/2008 12:59:00 PM

Legislators in Tennessee have been presented a new version of a state franchising bill with a unique scheme to incent new providers to extend broadband services.

from: Times Free Press

Lawmakers say AT&T bill should promote cable competition
by Andy Sher
Chattanooga Times Free Press
04/08/08

NASHVILLE — Lawmakers said Monday that Tennessee consumers should benefit from a compromise that allows AT&T to compete more easily with cable companies such as Comcast in offering television services.

from: The Tennessean

AT&T, cable rivals agree on rules for TV
Phone giant will have quota for offering statewide access
By NAOMI SNYDER • Staff Writer • April 7, 2008

After months of secret negotiations between AT&T and the cable industry, both sides have agreed on many of the ground rules for AT&T's entry into the television service business in Tennessee — including how many customers must get access and how many households must be in low-income neighborhoods.

from: The Tennessean

Deal is near on AT&T's statewide cable plans
Compromise bill is expected to be unveiled Monday
By THEO EMERY and NAOMI SNYDER • Staff Writers • April 5, 2008

Lawmakers expect to unveil compromise legislation on Monday that would permit AT&T to offer its television services statewide, capping months of closed-door talks between feuding sides of the telecommunications industry.

from: Memphis Business Journal

Friday, April 4, 2008
Comcast, AT&T work together on new bill for franchising rights
by Einat Paz-Frankel Staff writer

After vociferously contending an AT&T, Inc.-backed bill on the state's Capitol Hill last year, Comcast Corp. is now working with the telecom giant behind closed doors to create a new bill that will assuage both parties while changing the way video franchising rights are granted in Tennessee.

From: The Chattanoogan

Legislators Say Bill Sought By AT&T Finally Ready
posted April 4, 2008

Legislative leaders said they have finally reached agreement on a statewide franchise bill sought by AT&T that is expected to result in a new cable TV option for Chattanooga residents and others throughout Tennessee.

from: The Tennessean

Ethics opinions find two lobbying violations
PR firm, ex-Bredesen adviser could be fined

By THEO EMERY and JENNIFER BROOKS • Staff Writer • March 25, 2008

State lobbying rules may have been violated in two high-profile legislative fights, one over Internet wine sales and the other over cable television regulation, according to the Tennessee Ethics Commission.

from: The City Paper

AT&T, cable crafting compromise
By John Rodgers, jrodgers@nashvillecitypaper.com

Lengthy negotiations between AT&T, the cable industry and local governments over AT&T’s bid to offer television services in Tennessee are close to complete, and the final product may cause a first for the telecom giant in the southeast.

from: The Tennessean

Players in cable fight make big donations to legislative campaigns

By THEO EMERY • Staff Writer • March 23, 2008

AT&T and the major cable companies poured campaign donations into the coffers of Tennessee lawmakers last year.

Most came in the last weeks of 2007, just before the fundraising cutoff at the January start of the legislative session. Under the state's 2-year-old ethics laws, lawmakers cannot raise money during the session.

from: The Tennessean

AT&T approached states after U.S. franchise failed
Bill would bypass local contracts

By THEO EMERY • Staff Writer • March 23, 2008

Tennessee's battle over cable franchising is not unique.

After an attempt to establish nationwide cable franchising failed, AT&T went to work in legislatures across the country to seek statewide access to cable markets, said Bob Williams, the director of HearUsNow.org, a Web site of the Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports.