[DDN] Fwd: [FORUM] Fwd: OFFICIAL SUMMARY OF FCC ORDER

[Michael Maranda]

If you havent been following news from the FCC this week, this note offers
good context and establishes what is at stake.   This is a major threat to
community access networks, and represents an end-run around Congress.   We
fended this off last year, and so the current tactic is to do this by FCC
fiat.

It is worth noting that the same issue is being pressed in many states.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: anthony riddle < raiseeveryvoice at yahoo.com>
Date: Mar 8, 2007 10:07 AM
Subject: [FORUM] Fwd: OFFICIAL SUMMARY OF FCC ORDER
To: access-forum at lists.alliancecm.org



Dear Alliance Members:
**
*The Summary *
Attached is a summary of the FCC Order on Video Franchising issued Monday.
This summary was prepared by Arent Fox, the law-firm retained by the locals
organizations, including the Alliance for Community Media, Alliance for
Communications Democracy, NATOA, NLC, Conference of Mayors, and National
Association of Counties.

Keep in mind that this is a summary-- it draws broad conclusions on a long
and detailed document.  We have read major portions of the order closely, as
you should if you have time.

We must recognize that this phase of our struggle has different rules.  We
received this document yesterday, but waited to see that all of our partners
agreed on its release before forwarding it to you.  We have to work as a
group and our actions have to be measured.  Political activity is important,
but so is the ultimate legal strategy.

We will take the FCC to court to have this order stayed and then
overturned.  This will take time.  We are making a financial commitment as
an organization to do whatever it takes to accomplish this.

*Timing*
As of this writing, the Order has not been published in the public record.
>From the time it is published, we have ten days to file an appeal.  That
work is being prepared right now.  We are in the process of deciding what
circuit(s) in which to file.

At the same time the Order was issued, a "Further Notice of Proposed
Rule-Making" was issued.  This FNPRM will decide if incumbent operators
(Cable Operators) will have to honor existing franchise agreements, and
other matters.  There will be a thirty day window for all of us to file
comments.  It will be followed by a 15 day period for all of us file reply
comments on anyone else's comments.

The Alliance will provide some guidance on these filings to which you can
add your local touch.  It may be that this FCC does not hear what we say,
but it is important that we place information into the official record to
show what we do and what the negative outcomes would likely be.

*Congressional*
There will be an oversight hearing on the FCC on March 14.  This seems to
have more muscle than the Senate hearing which turned out to be largely pro
forma.  We have not been predicting any meaningful legislation on telecom
out of this session, but there are at least some positive signs out of
committee.  If you have a representative on the sub-committee, it would be a
good time to re-establish contact and suggest that she/he ask any of the
questions the Alliance originally forwarded to you last month.

Also, the issuance of the Order provides another opportunity for you to
contact your Congressional delegation to emphasize the importance of your
contribution in your community.

Public engagement may or may not affect this ruling directly, but it is
always needed and this is a good opportunity.

*Needs*
* This is a battle which will require resources.  It is like a poker game--
the best hand may not always win if the player cannnot afford to make the
bet.  The Alliance needs to be able stay at the table no matter what.  This
time, this will mean money.  We should all be prepared to contribute to the
level we are able.  Everything is at stake here and we will will ourselves
to win.*
**
The Struggle Continues.........


Anthony T. Riddle
Alliance for Community Media
666 11th Street NW, Suite 740
Washington, DC 20001
202.393.2650 p, 202.393.2653 f
<www.alliancecm.org>




Anthony T. Riddle
Alliance for Community Media
666 11th Street NW, Suite 740
Washington, DC 20001
202.393.2650 p, 202.393.2653 f
< www.alliancecm.org> --0-1450813224-1173370056=:33671--


-- 
---------------------------------------------------------------
Executive Director, CTCNet Chicago Chapter
Co-Founder, Chicago Digital Access Alliance
Co-Chair, Illinois Community Technology Coalition
President, Association For Community Networking

Support the efforts of the Chicago Digital Access Alliance:
http://www.digitalaccessalliance.org



-- 
---------------------------------------------------------------
Executive Director, CTCNet Chicago Chapter
Co-Founder, Chicago Digital Access Alliance
Co-Chair, Illinois Community Technology Coalition
President, Association For Community Networking

Support the efforts of the Chicago Digital Access Alliance:
http://www.digitalaccessalliance.org