The Senate’s super-speedy Telecom Act hearings agenda continues unabated tomorrow, but unlike today’s hearing on muni-broadband (I know that it’s an important subject but the hearing today was a real snoozer), tomorrow’s hearing promises to be more lively.
For one thing, the top executives for two telcos aiming for a two-tiered Internet will be testifying — but this is not a net neutrality hearing. The subject is video franchising and the phone companies would like a little relief from the kind of extensive franchise obligations imposed on cable operators by local governments. Cable operators, of course, don’t want to be the only terrestrial video provider saddled with building local public libraries or planting thousands of trees along municipal rights-of-way.
Witness for tomorrow’s hearing include:
Panel 1:
Tom Rutledge, Chief Operating Officer, Cablevision Systems Corporation
Ivan Seidenberg, Chief Executive Officer, Verizon Communications
Edward Whitacre, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, AT&T ,
Lori Panzino-Tiller, President, NATOA
Panel 2:
Brad Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Cavalier Telephone
Anthony Riddle, Executive Director, Alliance for Community Media
Gene Kimmelman, Senior Director of Public Policy, Consumers Union
Gigi B. Sohn, President and Co-Founder, Public Knowledge
Again, thanks to Peter Kiley of C-SPAN for the reminder. As usual, the hearing webcast is available the Senate Commerce Committee website. But better yet, check it out at C-SPAN.
Cynthia Brumfield at 4:37 PM|Comments(0)
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