Bill Hammond Likes The Brodsky Telecom Bill

by: phillip anderson

Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 08:44:15 AM EDT

For cheaper cable, aim your clicker at Albany

Brodsky's bill would cut to the chase, authorizing state officials to sign a statewide franchise for cable TV service. In areas where the fiberoptic lines have been laid, Verizon could jump into the cable market almost overnight.

But the cable industry, desperate to keep its captive audience, is using all of its considerable influence in Albany to block reform. Unless Gov. Spitzer intervenes, consumers could well lose this battle - and be forced to keep paying through the nose for lousy service.

The bill enjoys strong support from the telephone workers union - eager to preserve 25,000 jobs at Verizon - as well as the major consumer groups.

But it's running into stiff resistance. The cable companies are squawking that the bill is unfair, since they had to negotiate dozens upon dozens of franchises and Verizon won't have to - neglecting to mention that they are free to offer Internet-based phone service that piggybacks on Verizon's network. Meanwhile, Mayor Bloomberg and other local officials are reluctant to transfer their franchising authority to the state. Even Verizon is objecting to Brodsky's bill because of strings he has attached.

While Albany bickers, New York consumers continue to get shafted. Spitzer must break the logjam and forge a compromise that makes the bill workable for both Verizon and local officials.

I'm just glad this bill is finally beginning to get some ink.

h/t to Pete Sikora

VIDEO: Press Conference on Brodsky Bill

by: phillip anderson

Sat May 19, 2007 at 16:10:08 PM EDT

 

Click To Play

 

Video of the press conference presenting the Omnibus Telecommunications Reform Act of 2007 (A3980B). This state-wide video franchise bill and broadband initiative bill is sponsored by Assemblyman Brodsky with the support of the CWA. The press conference took place in Albany, NY on May 15th, 2007.

Read the A 3980B bill online: http://assembly.stat.... There is a companion bill in the Senate (S 5124).

Video produced by Manhattan Neighborhood Network: http://mnn.org.

The Brodsky Bill: Completely Clueless in Rochester

by: phillip anderson

Fri May 11, 2007 at 12:43:57 PM EDT

A key feature of the bill is the abolition of municipal cable franchises, money from which supports local public-access channels, to be replaced by statewide franchises awarded by the PSC. This would benefit latecomers to the cable game, particularly Verizon, which, to compete with Time-Warner and others, now have to go head to head in localities.

Local franchises should stay. The PSC has enough on its plate with energy deregulation. It doesn't need a cable-franchising job as well. Cable competition is needed. But Verizon should wade in on the local level rather than trying to change the rules mid-game. Other bill features - ensuring the entire state has online services and "neutral" Web access - are sound. But they can be dealt with apart from franchising.

First, the statewide video franchise is the is the juicy carrot dangled in front of the telecoms to entice them to fulfill the other parts of the bill, namely to build out their high speed infrastructure to 85% percent of the state. This is actually very important to many communities upstate, including, I wuld assume, many of the D&C's readers.

Second, local municipalities won't be losing franchise funds. The bill sends them the maximum allowed under federal law, 5%. In fact, many municipalities will see their franchise revenues actually increase.

Finally, I want to see this bill kept whole. All of these ingredients work together to motivate different stakeholders. The telecoms get their statewide video franchise. Underserved communities get broadband. Municipalities get moolah. Netizens get net neutrality. Breaking this bill apart will kill it.