The debate surrounding the proposed Comcast Time Warner Cable merger continues. The Department of Justice and the FCC ruminate over the deal while the media speculates about the future. Governing recently published an article on potential side effects for the municipal network movement. Tod Newcombe reached out to Chris for expert opinion. From Governing: Partially thanks … Read More
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler is prepared to roll back restrictions that prevent local governments from deciding if a municipal network would be a wise investment. At the Cable Show Industry conference in Los Angeles, Wheeler told cable industry leaders the FCC will wield its powers to reduce state barriers on municipal networks. Wheeler spoke before the … Read More
The Illinois community of Urbana, home of UC2B, recently passed a resolution in favor of FCC’s section 706 authority. The community’s fiber project is bridging the digital divide in this community of 41,000. On March 17, the City Council voted unanimously to support the FCC as it considers action to discourage, prevent, and remove state legislative … Read More
Two more communities have gone on the record as supporting local authority for telecommunications infrastructure investment. Communities in Vidalia and Sebewaing passed resolutions supporting the FCC’s efforts to use its authority to discourage, prevent, and remove state barriers. Vidalia, on the west side of the Mississippi in Louisiana, recently began offering free Wi-Fi in its new sports … Read More
In February, we reported on another attempt by AT&T, Windstream, and Cincinnati Bell, to eliminate plain old telephone service (POTS) in Kentucky. According to Mimi Pickering from the Rural Broadband Policy Group, AT&T’s SB 99 is quickly moving ahead and may even be up for a full House vote at any time. Kentucky has fought to … Read More
Even though there are several publicly owned networks in Tennessee, existing state statutes create barriers discouraging investment. This year, there is a movement at the state Capitol that may change the environment. The Jolt Digest and CivSource recently reported that four bills aimed at expanding municipal networks in Tennessee have strong support in Nashville. These Tennessee … Read More
On March 18th, our own Chris Mitchell will host a webinar that you don’t want to miss. Tech In the City: A Conversation About Community Broadband Access will be an engaging discussion about municipal networks in light of the recent Verizon v. FCC decision. The court delved into the FCC’s authority, clearing up ambiguities from past … Read More
UPDATE: According to Pete Ashdown, the amendment has been pulled. Stay vigilant, these things rarely just go away. We reported earlier this month that UTOPIA was once again facing legislative attack at the state level in the form of HB60. While the House has focused on other issues, the Utah Senate is launching its own attack. … Read More
As we reported in recent issues of this Bulletin, Wal-Mart is lobbying several state legislatures to repeal laws that bar below-cost sales of gasoline. Wal-Mart is installing gas stations in the parking lots of hundreds of its superstores. By selling gas below its wholesale cost, Wal-Mart hopes to draw shoppers into its stores and eliminate independent competitors. The problem is, many states have laws that require retailers to sell gas at a minimum mark-up. … Read More
