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from: WBHS9

How will AT&T's Legislation affect Channel 9?

Dear Editor:

Your recent article regarding AT&T’s proposed legislation stirred a response from Paul Stinson, Manager of Regulatory and External Affairs for AT&T. On January 7th, a meeting was held with Mr. Stinson, Mr. Keidel, a concerned parent and me. After the meeting I sat down and composed a list comparing the status quo with what AT&T has proposed for Access channels like WBHS9.

from: Vox.com

Above the Law: AT&T, Verizon, BellSouth, and the Executive Branch

Jan 26, 2008 at 3:29 PM

The Bush Administration has been pushing hard for the Congress to grant retroactive immunity to telecom companies that cooperated with its domestic wiretapping program, the legality of which is still in question. For most Americans, this story falls in the category of boring, but important. Most aren't even aware that we're facing a Constitutional question that could fundamentally change the way we govern ourselves, and how we hold each other accountable.

Note: Yet another example of the "competition=lower prices" myth - and the triple play trap.

from: USA Today

Phone Giants’ Rising Rates Questioned

From USA Today, January 28, 2008
By Leslie Cauley

AT&T and Verizon are raising prices for caller ID and other popular phone services by as much as 300%, even as they continue to push regulators to loosen up because of increased competition.

from: The Madison Times

Reverse for AT&T's U-verse video?

Jeff Richgels — 1/24/2008 3:45 pm

Could AT&T be out of the video business before it even brings its U-verse service to Madison?

That's possible, according to TVPredictions.com president Phillip "Swanni" Swann, who predicts AT&T will be out of the video business within 12 to 18 months, CedMagazine.com reported.

from: Free Press

Live Blogging during PEG Congressional Hearing

Submitted by IraFP on January 25, 2008 - 9:07am.

On Tuesday, Jan. 29, the Free Press Action Network will hold a live-blogging session during the congressional hearing on Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) services in the digital TV age. Activists and community leaders will be discussing the hearing as it unfolds.

from: Cleveland Daily Banner

Watson seeks citizens’ input on video measure

By David Davis Managing Editor

Published January 24, 2008 10:45 AM EDT

A local state representative is asking for citizen input on a bill authorizing statewide franchises to companies providing video services.

from: Murfreesboro Post

Oh, yeah, let’s make AT&T only answer to the state. That’ll work
By MIKE PIRTLE, Publisher/President

Those of you old enough to remember the popular TV show, “Laugh-in,” probably also remember an ongoing skit by Lilly Tomlinson in which she portrayed a telephone operator.

Note: The 'attacks' in question were hardly misinformed - only AT&T's response can be considered misinformation. AT&T places regional PEG channels on a Channel 99 submenu on their U-verse system - a submenu list that could grow to over a hundred becoming increasingly unwieldy and useless. This is a side-effect of telco/cable providers moving to a regional head-end, eliminating local head-in systems for cost efficiencies (think Clear Channel and the loss of localism).