Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Tauke but no action on Network Neutrality
According to this in Business Week,
Now there's Tauke but no action on Network Neutrality!
At a Jan. 27 press conference, Verizon's [Tom] Tauke said it was time for lawmakers to switch gears and . . . allow phone companies to offer TV service across the country more quickly. Top on the list is a [federal] bill on local franchise approvals that would allow phone companies to offer TV service across the country more quickly.Tauke says, essentially, "Forget that messy network neutrality stuff, just give us franchise reform and let us kill some cablecos."
Now there's Tauke but no action on Network Neutrality!
. . . sources told Technology Daily Friday [Feb 17] that the committee is likely to drop net neutrality altogether because lawmakers cannot reach a consensus. Also expected to be dropped are portions governing municipal broadband networks and the interconnection of telecom carriers.Municipal networks, they're so unfair to telephone companies. Tauke but no action protecting a city's right to build its own network. Tauke but no action on Interconnection. Who needs it? We'd rather have a dozen different telephones services; let the free market reign.
Instead of a comprehensive bill, the committee now is expected to adopt Verizon's idea for a streamlined telecom measure primarily addressing video franchising.Tauke leads to action only on franchise relief. Sounds like a kushnick to me.
The bill would place new video competitors under FCC authority when they enter markets. New entrants would pay franchise fees and fulfill other obligations but would not negotiate with localities . . . The streamlined bill also would include language requiring providers of Internet telephone service to offer "enhanced 911" emergency service, sources said.The principle seems to be, "If it helps the Bells, leave it in. If it hurts them, take it out."
Technorati Tags: 911, F2C, ILEC, MunicipalNetworks, NetworkNeutrality, Politics, Verizon
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