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Quick Jump Menu to this Issue’s ArticlesNovember 11th, 2004 OverviewTelcoTV or Matchmaking?December and January Conventions
THE VIODI VIEW
by Ken Pyle ([email protected]), Viodi, LLC
In this Issue: TelcoTV Matchmaking, Franchising & More……..
November 30, 2004 Issue
- TelcoTV or Matchmaking?
- Franchise This!
- A Telco’s DSL Success
- When Is A CLEC an ILEC?
- FCC Orders to Watch
- December and January Conventions
- The Korner – A Cute Christmas Story
Driving along the toll road a mile or two outside the Orlando International Airport, I literally saw a sign that telcos’ television efforts are gaining prominence. The sign was a flashing electronic billboard welcoming the 2004 TelcoTV to Orlando. After navigating the eleven miles or so to the Orlando Convention Center, I was even more impressed to see another billboard welcoming both TelcoTV and the Matchmaker 2004 convention. In my single days, I might have snuck into the Matchmaker 2004 convention to see what I might be able to learn.
In reality, the TelcoTV show is probably very similar to the Matchmaker 2004 convention. Like the matchmaking concept, one of the most important things that TelcoTV does is to connect people with similar interests. In the case of TelcoTV, it meant a convergence of over 1,400 people associated with the distribution of video by telephone companies. This concentration of industry experts definitely provided an energy that could be felt in the sessions and the exhibit floor. To read a few observations from my brief time on the floor, please click here.
One of the topics that caused a buzz at TelcoTV was SBC’s announcements regarding their planned push into providing video services. Probably as interesting as their Microsoft announcement, which really was not too surprising given their announcements last June, was one of their approaches to offering video services. It looks like they will be offering IP Video as an “information service”, essentially making it part of their Internet offering, potentially eliminating the need for obtaining local franchises.
As reported in the latest issue of BusinessWeek Online [thanks to Bill Fielding for pointing out this article], the franchising process could seriously crimp the rollout plans of the larger telcos. Franchising was a major issue ten years ago in Pacific Bell’s roll out of video services a decade ago, so it is not too surprising that SBC would want to avoid the franchising process. Howard Shapiro of Bennet & Bennet PLCC discussed the concept of “franchise-less” video distribution at last year’s IP Video @ Telecom ’03. I have been listening to his presentation from the conference last year. If you are interested in listening and reviewing his presentation, email me at [email protected].
In the meantime, independent telcos keep blazing trails with regards to the deployment of high-speed Internet services. Theron Jensen of Hemingford Telephone Cooperative was quoted extensively in the November 24th issue of the Omaha World-Herald. Seems Heminford Telephone’s DSL penetration is running at 35%, about double the rate for the U.S., and shows no sign of slowing. As pointed out in the article, rural areas and farmers are finding high-speed Internet to be an important tool for making them more efficient.
Regarding successful independent telcos, how about Mid-Rivers Telephone Cooperative in Montana? There is a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the FCC website regarding Mid-Rivers petition to be considered the incumbent Local Exchange Carrier in an area that they have overbuilt. With 93% penetration, Mid-Rivers has essentially replaced the incumbent carrier, Qwest, in the town of Terry, Montana. The outcome of the FCC’s rulemaking could potentially have a huge impact on the Universal Service Fund. The FCC is looking for comments, especially from other independent telcos that are in a similar situation.
As long as we are on the topic of the FCC web site, I ran across an FCC Order that bears closer examination. This Order deals with Retransmission Consent. The expiration of this order on January 1st, 2006 could have a huge impact on an independent telco’s ability to acquire the rights to local off-air channels. This order essentially requires broadcasters to negotiate in “good-faith” and prohibits exclusive agreements….an exclusive agreement could be a way for an incumbent to lock up programming prior to a competitor’s arrival in a market.
In his presentation at the Tut User’s Group, Robert Primosch of Wilkinson, Barker and Knauer, LLP warned that independent telcos must work to ensure that this and other FCC orders regarding Program Access are extended. To this end, members of OPASTCO’s Broadband and Video committee, led by Allan Hoopes of Silverstar Communications, met with FCC staff from the Wireline Competition and Media Bureaus last month in Washington D.C. They discussed obstacles and challenges faced by independent telcos as they offer video services both within and outside their existing exchange areas. To view the ex-parte filing from OPASTCO, please go to http://www.opastco.org/docs/VideoExParte.pdf
December and January Conventions….
December will be a pretty slow month for conventions, but then January really picks up the paces with a significant show a week. From NTCA’s IOC Wireless Symposium to the NATPE convention, there will be something for just about everyone in the next two months. Click here to read about some of these upcoming events.
The Korner – A Cute Christmas Story
While the rest of us were feasting on turkey and stuffing last week, Roger Bindl was putting together the video, “Ali the Christmas Angel”. The source of the creativity for this video was Roger’s six and eleven year old nieces who wrote the screenplay, created the still animations and narrated this short video. These kids, with Roger’s help, put together a very compelling video. It was so compelling that my five-year old and I watched it over and over and over.
The point is that creativity transcends age and geographic location. This video is an example of the unique content that independent telcos can create for distribution on their web site or cable network. Roger is licensing this video to those telcos that wish to give their community a unique holiday greeting.
Speaking of Christmas, for those of you who will be in the Bay Area this Saturday, December 4th, please allow this be your official invitation to the St. Nicholas Christmas Fair at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Saratoga, California. This fair will feature a variety of arts and crafts, holiday music, German specialties of the season, and lots of fun for the kids! I will be staffing the “Gluewein” (spice wine) booth from 12 to 1 PM, so please stop by. Click here to learn more.
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Click Here to Learn More About the St. Nicholas Christmas Fair.
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