July 2006

Today's Quote 07.31.06

Don't expect a quick decision from Congress on network neutrality. Not deciding is too profitable. The stakes are huge for both sides, so both are pouring millions of dollars into political contributions and lobbying to press their argument. Now you know why Congress would let this debate linger on. As long as the issue stays in play, the money keeps flowing. "Telecom reform has been a cash cow for members of Congress," says Brookings Institution congressional scholar Thomas Mann. "The battles go on for years, and the fundraising requests never stop."

Milking the Internet

MILKING THE INTERNET
[SOURCE: Forbes, AUTHOR: Tim Doyle]

Don't let Internet Bullies Stifle Reform

DON'T LET INTERNET BULLIES STIFLE REFORM
[SOURCE: Baltimore Sun, AUTHOR: Mike McCurry and Christopher Wolf, co-chairs of Hands Off the Internet]

CBS Takes Jackson Fine to Court

CBS TAKES JACKSON FINE TO COURT
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]

168 Bidders Qualified in FCC Auction

168 BIDDERS QUALIFIED IN FCC AUCTION
[SOURCE: Associated Press, AUTHOR: Bruce Meyerson]

Some Important FCC Developments

SOME IMPORTANT FCC DEVELOPMENTS CONCERNING THE FUTURE OF THE BROADCAST BAND
[SOURCE: Truth, Justice and telecom Policy 7/26, AUTHOR: J.H. Snider]
[Commentary] While media reform activists have been preoccupied with telecom legislation on the Hill and the media ownership proceeding at the FCC, the National Association of Broadcasters has been quietly moving ahead with critical initiatives at the FCC, especially in the radio bands: 1) The NAB has asked the FCC to drastically restrict the use of FM modulators in the FM band (see more at the URL below). FM modulators are unlicensed devices that use the white spaces between licensed channels. 2) The NAB has petitioned the FCC to allow AM radio broadcasters to acquire available FM frequencies for FM translator service within their own protected coverage areas. 3) Expected to come up in the next few weeks -- FM multicasting rights -- a proceeding that may well be the last time to point out to the FCC that it has given radio broadcasters double their licensed spectrum and the capacity to provide up to 20 times their current service levels without asking for anything in return.
http://quixote.blogs.com/telecompolicy/2006/07/some_important_.html

* Breaking Terrestrial Radio's Automobile Monopoly
http://quixote.blogs.com/telecompolicy/2006/07/breaking_terres.html

FCC Renews Three TV Licenses

FCC RENEWS THREE TV LICENSES
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]

The New Landscape of the Cable Industry

AFTER ADELPHIA: THE NEW LANDSCAPE OF THE CABLE INDUSTRY
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: George Winslow]

McClatchy/MediaNews Deal Clears Court Hurdle

MCCLATCHY/MEDIANEWS DEAL CLEARS COURT HURDLE
[SOURCE: Associated Press 7/28]

Internet news supplements papers, TV

INTERNET NEWS SUPPLEMENTS PAPERS, TV
[SOURCE: USAToday, AUTHOR: Peter Johnson]