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Net Neutrality 12-29-2006 — AT&T Gives Way On Net Neutrality

December 29, 2006 by Liz

Net Neutrality Links

I’m adding this link to the Net Neutrality Page.

AT&T compromise may get merger approved

WASHINGTON — AT&T Inc. has offered a new set of concessions that are expected to satisfy the two Democrats on the Federal Communications Commission and lead to approval of the company’s $85 billion buyout of BellSouth Corp. Approval by the full commission could happen as soon as Friday.

AT&T filed a letter of commitment with the agency Thursday night that adds a number of new conditions to the deal, including a promise to observe “network neutrality” principles, an offer of affordable stand-alone digital subscriber line service and a promise to give up some wireless spectrum.

Final approval still requires a vote of the commissioners, which can happen at any time via computer. The proposed deal is the largest telecommunications merger in U.S. history.

[ . . . ]

Among the promises made by the company:

_An offer of stand-alone, high-speed Internet service to customers in its service area for $19.95 per month. The “naked DSL (digital subscriber line)” offer would allow those who live in AT&T and BellSouth’s service areas to sign up for fast Internet access without being required to buy a package of other services.

_A greater commitment to network neutrality, or nondiscrimination involving Internet traffic. AT&T said it would “maintain a neutral network and neutral routing in its wireline broadband Internet access service.”

_To freeze rates for “special access” customers, usually competitors and large businesses that pay to connect directly to a regional phone company’s central office via a dedicated fiber optic line, for 48 months.

_To “assign and/or transfer to an unaffiliated third party” all of its 2.5 GHZ spectrum currently licensed to BellSouth within one year of the merger closing date.

_To “repatriate” 3,000 jobs that were outsourced by BellSouth outside the U.S. by Dec. 31, 2008, with at least 200 of those jobs to be located in New Orleans.

Ben Scott, legislative director for Free Press, a reform group that has fought the merger, said the network neutrality provision was a “big step forward for the supporters of an open Internet.”

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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NET NEUTRALITY PAGE

Filed Under: Business Life, Community, SOB Business, Successful Blog, Trends Tagged With: AT+T, bc, BellSouth-merger, Ben-Scott, FCC, Net-Neutrality

Net Neutrality 12-28-2006

December 28, 2006 by Liz

Net Neutrality Links

I’m adding this link to the Net Neutrality Page.

Net Neutrality/Data in New Congress? Don’t Hold Yer Breath

Of course, the pundits interviewed noted this coming Congress will be preoccupied with other stuff, like, uh, the war and the budget. Oh, and let’s not forget about a little presidential race that’s already gearing up.

My bet is that we won’t see any federal legislation that does any more than pay lip service to the Net neutrality issue. Maybe something in the data security and privacy realm might hit the floor, but the fact is (and call me a cynic) the government wants access to any and all of our data for pretty much ever. That means it will be exempt from whatever laws are put in place, most likely making them moot where civil liberties are concerned. Remember CAN-SPAM, where they conveniently wrote themselves out of the law?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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NET NEUTRALITY PAGE

Filed Under: Business Life, Community, SOB Business, Successful Blog, Trends Tagged With: bc, CAN-SPAM, Congress, Net-Neutrality

Net Neutrality 12-26-2006

December 26, 2006 by Liz

Net Neutrality Links

I’m adding this link to the Net Neutrality Page.

Eight Internet Losers In 2006

Though the Internet had a breakout year 2006, it wasn’t all birthday cakes and butterflies for everyone. Companies, institutions and philosophies came head to head every other day trying to exert some sort of control over it. And most of them failed miserably.

So while there were big time winners in 2006, every year has its colossal losers. This Biggest Internet Losers list rubs their faces in it because it has to be done. There are lessons to be learned.

Biggest Internet Losers 2006

[ . . . ]

7. Net Neutrality

Though awareness and support for the concept of Network Neutrality increased exponentially, the construct intended to be the Internet’s First Amendment still suffered defeat after defeat in Congress.

8. The Telecommunications Industry

It’s interesting that all players involved in the Net Neutrality debate come up losers. But there was no compromise on either side of it. Just when it looked like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast would put the debate to bed, enough grass roots support popped up to delay it just long enough to get to the mid-term elections. Net Neutrality got a reprieve, and it’s driving the telcos crazy.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related
NET NEUTRALITY PAGE

Filed Under: Business Life, Community, SOB Business, Successful Blog, Trends Tagged With: bc, net-neutrality.-telecommunications-industry

Net Neutrality 12-22-2006

December 22, 2006 by Liz

Net Neutrality Links

I’m adding this link to the Net Neutrality Page.

Whitacre’s Way

Forbes Magazine named AT&T Company of the Year.

AT&T’s Ed Whitacre built the runt of the Baby Bells into the largest telecom compnay [xic] in the world. His hunger for takeovers is unsated.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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NET NEUTRALITY PAGE

Filed Under: Business Life, Community, SEO, Successful Blog, Trends Tagged With: AT+T, bc, net-neutrality.-Forbes

Net Neutrality 12-21-2006

December 21, 2006 by Liz

Net Neutrality Links

I’m adding this link to the Net Neutrality Page.

Open Letter on AT&T Merger to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin

To: FCC Chairman Kevin Martin
CC: WSJ Editorial Page
Date: 12/20/06
Re: AT&T Merger with Bell South, Net Neutrality or Why There Is Still No Phone Competition in Long Valley, NJ

Mr Martin,

I know it must be tough for you these days as the last check into this bad for consumer deal between the new, new, we swear we won’t do no evil AT&T and Bell South. Especially now that Robert McDowell decided to abstain from voting on the merger which results in a 2-2 tie between Republicans and Democrats at the FCC. Wow to think how billions hang in the balance between 4 people. That’s quite a challenge, so let me, as a 10 year veteran of the old and better AT&T give you some advice. Sure this is free, but if you study the downfall of AT&T you will realize that the current uncompetitive environment is much of a result of bad management by C. (how) Michael (bought Excite@Home and TCI high and sold them very low) Armstrong and lies and underdeliveries by the Baby Bells of the promised made in the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

I submit to you my recent experience with home service in beautiful Long Valley, NJ which is a mere 30 minutes via a country road to the old AT&T HQ and now the current Verizon HQ in Basking Ridge NJ.
[ . . . ]

Yes, I do believe in our economy, free markets, and that if all things being equal, competition will give consumers more choices and better prices. However, it doesn’t work when you allow each Baby Bell to have a virtual monopoly in their territory, resulting in no alternatives for consumers. Use your own experience and see if you can switch services. Competition doesn’t exist and this merger shouldn’t be allowed to go through without significant concessions.

PardonMyFrench,

Eric

MA Bell Monopoly Versus the Free Internet — Tell the FCC Net Neutrality Is Not Negotiable

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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NET NEUTRALITY PAGE

Filed Under: Business Life, Community, SOB Business, Successful Blog, Trends Tagged With: AT+T, bc, BellSouth, Kevin-Martin, merger, Net-Neutrality, Robert-McDowell

Net Neutrality 12-20-2006

December 20, 2006 by Liz

Net Neutrality Links

I’m adding this link to the Net Neutrality Page.

Statemate Keeps At&T-BellSouth Merger Off of FCC’s Agenda (Washington Post)

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin J. Martin said yesterday he did not know how soon it would consider AT&T’s proposed $86 billion acquisition of BellSouth . . .
[ . . . ]
One of the main obstacles is disagreement over whether to require a “net neutrality” condition that would bar AT&T from asking different Internet services to pay different prices for using its lines.

The entire story is available at WashingtonPost.com.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related
NET NEUTRALITY PAGE

Filed Under: Business Life, Community, SOB Business, Successful Blog, Trends Tagged With: AT+T, bc, BellSouth, FCC, Kevin-Martin, Net-Neutrality

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