FCC Open Meeting Agenda 12/20/06

FCC OPEN MEETING AGENDA 12/20/06
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The Federal Communications Commission will hold an Open Meeting on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 at 9:30 a.m. in Room TW-C305, at 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. Your pre-holiday party agenda includes: 1) a report on cable prices, 2) new rules on streamlining local video franchising, 3) a new proceeding on public safety communications in the 700 MHz band, and 4) a Declaratory Ruling regarding whether Internet Protocol (IP) captioned telephone service is a form of telecommunications relay service (TRS) compensable from the Interstate TRS Fund.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-268955A1.doc

FCC TO VOTE ON FRANCHISE CHANGES
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin scheduled a Dec. 20 vote on his plan to force local governments to sign cable-service contracts with requesting phone companies within 90 days, according to a meeting agenda released by the agency Wednesday night. Chairman Martin's plan puts him in direct conflict with cable operators and local governments, which argue that the FCC lacks authority to impose a shot clock on cable-franchising negotiations. The plan includes details related to the calculation of franchise fees that have also invited criticism from cable and the cities. If the FCC adopts the franchising rules, cable operators and cities have indicated a willingness to fight the FCC in federal court.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6399811.html?display=Breaking+News

AT&T MERGER VOTE UNLIKELY UNTIL '07
[SOURCE: San Antonio Express-News, AUTHOR: Sanford Nowlin]
The Federal Communications Commission said Wednesday it won't vote on AT&T Inc.'s merger with BellSouth Corp. at its Dec. 20 meeting, making it unlikely the telecommunications mega-merger can be approved by the end of the year. The FCC is the last regulatory body needed to approve San Antonio-based AT&T's $86 billion buyout of BellSouth Corp. The commission has delayed its vote several times because it was deadlocked over what conditions, if any, to impose on the deal.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/stories/MYSA121406.3E.FCCagenda.293...

* Vote on BellSouth Deal Omitted From Next FCC Meeting
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601204&sid=aLDmdTaUpyu0&refer=t...