70/70

The American Cable Association, which represents smaller and mid-sized cable operators, officially asked the Federal Communications Commission to collect only current data in its proposed new 70/70 reporting form, and not to require cable operators to report telephone, digital or cable -modem information for the form.

Former House Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) said he doesn't think anybody on the committee is interested in reregulating cable, and that while he respects Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin's intellect, he called him "somewhat inconsistent in applying conservative principles to the FCC."

NCTA and the NAB are trying to find a win-win blueprint for delivering TV service in the digital age.

National Cable & Telecommunications Association president Kyle McSlarrow on Thursday praised the introduction of a bill that would repeal a law that Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin Martin tried to use to hammer cable with new regulations.

Rep Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) will soon introduce the Consumer Freedom of Choice in Cable Act, a bill that would strip the Federal Communications Commission's authority to regulate cable under the 70/70 market-power threshold.

Federal Communications Chairman Kevin Martin has the right idea about gaining more regulatory sway over the powerful cable television industry, but his methods to make that point haven't always been on target.

November did not see a holiday slowdown in the world of telecommunications policy. In fact, rapid developments seem likely through the rest of 2007.

Dan Warren perked up when he realized that Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin was using his company's data to reach the "70/70" cable decision.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin J. Martin's ongoing fight with Big Cable has left him bloodied but still standing, say FCC officials, industry executives and public interest groups, and he may now spend the remainder of his tenure with fewer allies.