SBC Promotes Texas Anti-Wireless Bill 392
rhythmx writes "Details of this bill have been previously covered on Slashdot. SBC has since put up TV ads and a website saying that our telecom laws need to be changed. From their propaganda, "The Texas legislature has the opportunity to modernize telecom regulation and promote innovation to finally reach our goals for new technologies and enhanced consumer benefits." They hardy even mention the bill itself, basically only that it is "Good for Texas -- Good for Texans." This bill has already passed through the House and is now in the Texas state Senate."
This reminds me... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Get a grip. (Score:5, Informative)
> when they state that it is unfair that some
> providers, such as themselves, are regulated while
> others, such as any new comer, are not. It is
> unfair.
Yet morally, they're on low ground. SBC is regulated for a reason. Care to explain to the readers why, without the spin?
Comment removed (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Free Wi-Fi not so bad... (Score:3, Informative)
Astrotruf by Democracy Data & Communications L (Score:5, Informative)
"Full grassroots and PAC management functionality"
"Legislator targeting".
Run the online demo. Especially the "asset tracking system", which generates maps It looks like Hollywood's vision of something a corrupt organization would use. But it's real.
Re:Radio... (Score:2, Informative)
Didn't they do a survey a number of years ago that discovered that many people do not understand the connection between the government's money and taxes? There are people who think the government just has its own money to spend.
Re:Govt. Subsidized Wifi is a bad idea (Score:1, Informative)
From what I hear, the local phone co's have basically put a halt on rolling out DSL, and the cable company is talking about dropping broadband. So pretty soon, the only options for internet access will be the overtaxed, and frequently down WiFi, or dialing LD to get to AOL.
"How To Drive Away Business 101"
Re:Get a grip. (Score:3, Informative)
What happened? The governor still signed it. And you know what? He'll get reelected in spite of the fact that he gave away some control of our municipalities to corporations.
Conservatives are right when they say money is speech. It's the only speech politicians every listen to.
Cities have a way to keep their Wi-Fi... (Score:1, Informative)
(b) A municipality may not offer to the public, directly or indirectly, wireless broadband communications services, including wireless fidelity , or Wi-Fi, services, unless the municipality was providing the service on or before September 1, 2006, or unless the municipality has filed with the commission before June 15, 2006, a statement of intent to provide the service that meets the requirements of Subsection (c) of this section.
So the existing municipal wi-fi systems can continue operating, and any cities that were mulling over the possibility of doing it had better get their lazy asses in motion and get their systems up and running within the next year, or at least file the paperwork declaring their intent to provide wi-fi by the grandfathering deadline.
Comment removed (Score:4, Informative)