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Note: TV4US is a notorious astroturf organization paid for by the telephone companies to build support for telco legislation.

from: Tampa Bay 10

Supporters of bill to create more competition for cable TV reveal plan

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Supporters of a bill that would make it easier for telephone companies to offer video services to Floridians distributed thousands of petitions in support of the plan to state lawmakers today.

from: KnoxNews.com

Cable industry, local governments oppose AT&T's request for statewide franchise

By KARIN MILLER, news@knoxbusinessjournal.com
April 16, 2007

The biggest — and almost certainly the most expensive — battle on Capitol Hill this year is over an effort by telecommunications giant AT&T to enter the cable television business in Tennessee.

from: Shelbyville Times Gazette

AT&T wants to bypass local franchising

Monday, April 16, 2007
By Clint Confehr

LEWISBURG -- Competition for cable TV customers lowered rates elsewhere and a state senator is sponsoring legislation to create statewide franchising for companies delivering TV channels through wires, he said Friday night.

from: Commerical Appeal.com

Competition' could have heavy cost

April 15, 2007

I've waited on the phone 40 minutes for billing assistance and tried repeatedly and unsuccessfully to use features on digital cable that, at one time, worked.

Yes, I am a voice in that growing chorus -- the one cursing the cable giant, Comcast. Now that AT&T is offering an alternative and promising competitive rates, my instinct is to open my arms and give this iconic American company a big Mid-South hug. Then I remember what I would be welcoming into my home.

from: Commerical Appeal.com

Bills would create digital 'haves' and 'have-nots'

April 15, 2007
Cable TV prices only seem to move in one direction -- up and then up some more.

So in theory, letting phone companies shift into the TV business should be a good thing. But a bill now moving through the Tennessee legislature that promises more video competition could actually leave most Tennessee consumers with higher bills and fewer benefits.

from: Commerical Appeal.com

Editorial 04/15
Don't be misled on cable law

April 15, 2007

The experiences are familiar to many cable television customers throughout the Mid-South: Channels that go fuzzy for unexplained reasons. Bills that go up with little or no warning. Calls seeking customer service that go nowhere fast.

from: Commercial Appeal.com

Cable clash
Gloves are off as AT&T's bid to enter market nears showdown

By Richard Locker
April 15, 2007

NASHVILLE -- You've seen the TV ads in the big fight in the Tennessee legislature among the cable industry, the telephone giant that wants into the cable business, and local governments wanting to retain their authority to award cable franchises.

from: Save Texas Access

Report on San Antonio AT&T Proposal to Test U-Verse
Submitted by savetexasaccess on Wed, 2007-04-11 05:17.

Here is a copy of the San Antonio AT&T Proposed Agreement:
Public Education and Government (PEG) Programming Signal First Office Application Testing Agreement

from: save texas access

from the frontlines of the post-state-franchise apocalypse . . .

Report From San Antonio – AT&T Corporate Headquarters
April 10, 2007

The rubber has started to hit the road in San Antonio. More than two years after basically writing SB 5 – Texas’ statewide video franchise law that passed the Legislature in 2005 – AT&T is now interpreting that law for San Antonio city officials.

from: Chattanooga Times Free Press

Signal Council opposes video franchise bill

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

By Mike O’Neal Staff Writer

The Signal Mountain Town Council unanimously passed Monday night a resolution opposing a statewide video franchising bill now before the state legislature.