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from: News Register

Cities to fight federal cable television ruling

Published: March 15, 2007

By NICOLE MONTESANO
Of the News-Register

Across the country, city officials are denouncing a Federal Communications Commission ruling restricting city and county authority to regulate cable TV and assess cable TV franchise fees.

from: CNET

House Democrats take aim at FCC practices

By Anne Broache

Story last modified Thu Mar 15 06:15:16 PDT 2007

WASHINGTON--The Federal Communications Commission endured a bruising on Wednesday from congressional Democrats who accused the regulators of overstepping their authority, lagging in answering consumer complaints, and operating in secret.

from: Internet News

March 15, 2007
House Democrats Blast FCC Policies
By Roy Mark

WASHINGTON -- House Democrats began their oversight reign of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today with a broadside of criticism over the GOP-controlled agency's operation.

Over the course of a testy three-hour hearing, Democrats found fault with the FCC's handling of the AT&T-BellSouth merger, broadband penetration rates, the digital television transition, cable franchise rules and lack of interoperability among first responders.

from: Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Dingell: FCC not a 'legislative body'

By JOHN DUNBAR
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

WASHINGTON -- The chairman of a congressional panel that oversees the Federal Communications Commission accused the agency of overstepping its authority in approving an order meant to create more competition in cable television.

from: MultiChannel News

Martin to House: I’m Not Picking On Cable Operators
By Ted Hearn3/14/2007 5:28:00 PM

Washington -- Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin Martin on Wednesday denied to a House subcommittee that he has been “picking” on the cable industry since taking control of the agency two years ago.

from: Broadcasting & Cable

Martin: Cable Ire Comes With Territory
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 3/14/2007

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said Wednesday he didn't have it in for cable, arguing that industries commonly feel picked on when they disagree with FCC policies.

from: Broadband Reports

FCC's Martin Gets His Wrist Slapped
Dems lament lack of previous oversight...

House Commerce Committee chairman John Dingell says the FCC has overstepped its authority with its recent telco friendly changes to the video franchise system. Opponents of the changes (that includes both cable execs and consumer advocates) say the changes are aimed primarily at legalizing telco cherry picking (deploying next-gen services only to affluent areas). The phone companies had no luck passing similar laws via Congress, so they turned to the FCC and state lawmakers. However, it's not legally clear if the FCC has the authority to make such changes without Congressional approval, so a legal battle is expected.

from: Variety

Democrats watching FCC
House puts org on notice at hearing

By WILLIAM TRIPLETT

WASHINGTON -- The first Democratically controlled House oversight hearing on the Federal Communications Commission pointedly put FCC chairman Kevin J. Martin and his fellow commissioners on notice that the new majority will be closely monitoring agency actions and expecting what it considers long overdue results on some matters.

from: USA Today

Lawmaker criticizes FCC for cable rules

WASHINGTON (AP) — The chairman of a House panel that oversees the Federal Communications Commission accused the FCC of overstepping its authority with rules meant to encourage cable TV rivals.

Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., who heads the House Commerce Committee, said at a subcommittee meeting Wednesday that he supports cable competition and lower prices, but that the FCC "must work entirely within the existing laws."

from: Denver Post

FCC order may help Qwest's quest

By Kimberly S. Johnson
Denver Post Staff Writer
03/11/2007

Although Qwest has lost attempts to win statewide franchise agreements in three states this year, a recent Federal Communications Commission order on the issue may give the company a much-needed boost.