[12653] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Re: Bell Atlantic to Build Interactive Digital Network
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (CCTV (Channel 17))
Wed May 25 17:09:02 1994
Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 11:54:38 -0400 (EDT)
From: "CCTV (Channel 17)" <cctv@emba.uvm.edu>
To: nii_agenda@civicnet.org
Cc: com-priv@psi.com, Net-Resoucres <net-resoucres@is.internic.net>,
TELE290@gwuvm.gwu.edu, niiregional-l@rain.org, cosndisc@yukon.cren.org,
COMMUNET@uvmvm.uvm.edu, nii_agenda@civicnet.org,
ritim-l@uriacc.uri.edu, telecom-policy@math.uio.no,
telecomreg@relay.adp.wisc.edu
In-Reply-To: <Pine.3.85.9405190730.A14240-0100000@ba.com>
Dear Eric - Isnt this the most exciting news??? Its what we've
all been waiting for--especially those of us in the public access
tv world.
Now the cable companies can successfully argue that
they are at a competitive disadvantage because their main
competitor (Bell Atlantic) has not public service requirements.
SO what happens to public access? Will Bell Atlantic volunteer
to set aside capacity and 5% of gross revenue for first amendment
opportunities? Or should we just be happy that the schools will
be wired for free with a one-year-only stipend that hooks them
in to high telecommunications costs into eternity?
Forgive my
tone. We've just spent 20 years preserving the public right of
way and right to FREE speech from the cable operators (who even
in the fabulous 1980's didnt think they were making enough money).
There is no time to rest. Bell Atlantic is just one of the
baby bells. I am interested to hear your answer but I can already
anticipate that a portion of capacity and gross revenue for public
access is not part of the grand scheme. If I am wrong, I will
sleep deeply tonight. If I am right, public access advocates
across the nation should be tossing and turning until we are
successful in our quest.
Thanks for sharing your information. It is helpful. It is the
wake up call we need every morning.
Best personal regards,
Lauren-Glenn Davitian
CCTV, Burlington, VT
