Triple Play

Herewith my presentation at the Seventh Annual Kentucky Cable and Telecommunications Conference, Triple Play: The National Broadband Plan, the Comcast Decision, and the Google/Verizon Proposal.

Seventh Annual Kentucky Cable & Telecommunications Conference

Seventh Annual Kentucky Cable & Telecommunications Conference

Williamstown Receives $535,000 Broadband Infrastructure Grant From NTIA

Yesterday, my client, the City of Williamstown received news that it has been awarded a $535,000 broadband infrastructure grant from NTIA to deploy a high-speed fiber-to-the-home broadband network to unserved and underserved communities south of its existing network in Corinth, and north of its existing network to areas of Grant and Owen counties in northern Kentucky. The project intends to offer broadband speeds up to 10 Mbps and directly connect the three municipal organizations within the service area – Corinth City Hall, the Corinth Water District, and the Corinth Volunteer Fire Department – free of charge. In addition, the project expects to offer broadband Internet access for local consumers, including approximately 680 households and 20 businesses, and spur economic growth and job creation in the region. The press release from the Department of Commerce can be found at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press/2010/042610_BTOP_finalRound1.html

Government Access Channel Manager for PikeTV

Pikeville College, located in Pikeville, Ky., is seeking a manager for PikeTV, a new local government broadcasting organization jointly created by the City of Pikeville and Pike County Fiscal Court. The cable channel will serve the governments of Pikeville and Pike County, the Pike County school system, Pikeville Independent School System, Pikeville Medical Center, Pikeville College and the Pikeville Main Street Program. A board of directors established by these entities will govern the channel and Pikeville College will administer the directives of the board. The channel will offer quality government and educational programming on two cable television systems serving the citizens of Pikeville and Pike County. The channel will also serve as an instructional component and service learning opportunity within Pikeville College’s communication program curriculum. Pikeville College plans to expand its communication program offerings to include most, if not all, of the skill sets required in the video and radio communication fields. As part of the college’s education curriculum, it is anticipated that the students will produce many of the programs which will be presented on the channel. The manager will advise, and to a certain degree assist the faculty of Pikeville College with this instructional practical learning program.

Job Description Summary
The channel manager’s key responsibilities include operations, planning, outreach and development. This person must lead and inspire others, manage a team effectively and oversee the production of quality programming that will increase citizen access to governmental meetings and provide informative television programs of interest and value to residents. The manager will also serve as an advisor to Pikeville College as it develops its expanded communication offering as this program is implemented.

Duties and Responsibilities
Responsible for the general management of PikeTV, including administrative, financial, technical and program operations
Lead the development of a new studio facility and programming schedule
Work with the PikeTV Board of Directors to give direction and leadership to the organization’s mission, goals and objectives
Provide development and training in conjunction with Pikeville College’s broadcast communication internship program
Work with a diverse constituency to produce quality programming, including public meetings, community and educational programs, emergency information, school events and sports
Prepare and present to the Board of Directors a monthly report on operations
Prepare a proposed annual budget and implement responsible fiscal and operational policies
Keep informed of trends, issues, events and developments within the public access field
Other job duties that may be assigned by the Executive Board

Required Knowledge/Skills
Extensive knowledge of cable and public access television field
Experience in field and studio video production, operating rules and procedures, the use and maintenance of production equipment and varied modes of cable-cast and other dissemination technologies
Excellent verbal, written and public speaking communication skills
Work experience with local government agencies, educators and community groups

Education/Experience
A bachelor’s degree in communications, video production or a related field
A minimum of five years of supervisory, managerial or administrative experience in the public access field, or in related areas of community media, public administration or arts. Executive director experience a plus.

Send a resume, letter of interest and references by Friday, May 14, 2010, to Human Resources, Pikeville College, 147 Sycamore Street, Pikeville, KY 41501. Attention: Channel Manager. Equal Opportunity Employer

Founded in 1889, Pikeville College provides an education for primarily Appalachian students from Eastern Kentucky and bordering states. For more information about Pikeville College, visit http://www.pc.edu, find the City of Pikeville at www.cityofpikeville.com/ or Pike County Fiscal Court at www.pikefiscalcourt.com.

Susan Crawford addresses broadband issues

Susan Crawford of the University of Michigan has written a New York Times column on the Comcast case, net neutrality, and the National Broadband Plan. Via J.C. Redbird on Twitter.

Template available for FCC "Future of Media" Comments (Due Date: May 7, 2010)

Matt Schuster of MetroTV requested that this be posted:

"Now that the FCC has released its National Broadband Plan, they are moving to examine the Future of Media and Information Needs of Communities in a Digital Age [GN Docket No. 10-25] - http://reboot.fcc.gov/futureofmedia/ . The Commission outlined a number of questions on which they seek comment, including Question 27, which seeks input on the role of PEG in the digital era (see below).

Because it is imperative that the Commission hear from Alliance members, we have prepared a template. The template is split into two sections. It first seeks to share a com­mon message as members of the Alliance for Community Media and then seeks to offer insights specific to your community to support the Alliance's answers to Question 27. If you would like a copy of the template please email glederer@millervaneaton.com. Gerry will also send you a help sheet on how to file your comments at the FCC.

Question 27. With regard to cable television, local franchising authorities can require a cable operator to provide channel capacity for Public, Education and Government (PEG) channels and some facilities and funding for such channels.
* Are these channels being used as effectively as possible for the provision of useful news and information to communities?
* How has the role of PEG channels changed over time, and how could their effectiveness be im­proved?
* Does statewide franchising change the number and composition of PEG channels? Does it serve to promote the intended benefits from PEG channels or undermine them?
* Are there other ways to provide for the benefits from PEG channels in the digital age?
* How should operators of PEG channels work with noncommercial television and radio licensees, as well as with other non-profit media entities?"

April 28 Meeting of KATOA Rescheduled Until May 12

The April 28 meeting of the Kentucky Association of Telecommunications Officers & Advisors (“KATOA”) has been rescheduled until May 12 at 2:00 PM, The meeting will be at the Beaumont Branch of the Lexington Public Library, 3080 Fieldstone Way, Lexington KY 40513 in the “small conference room”.

May 3, 2010 KY Regional Cable Commission Meeting

The Kentucky Regional Cable Commission will meet on May 3, 2010 at noon at the Mount Sterling City Hall, 33 N Maysville St, Mt. Sterling. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the operation of the Regional Educational and Government Access Channel.

The FCC extends the comment period on net neutrality

After losing the Comcast decision, the FCC has elected to extend the comment period for its pending net neutrality rule to April 26, 2010.

The New York Times has also covered the Comcast decision (via Twitter).

NTIA gets 867 applications requesting $11 billion in broadband grants

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today that it received 867 applications requesting $11 billion in funding for proposed broadband projects in Round 2. Unfortunately, the agency has only $2.6 billion to allocate for the second round.

May 19, 2010 Meeting of the Jefferson County League of Cities Cable Commission

The next meeting of the Jefferson County League of Cities Cable Commission will be held on May 19, 2010 at 4:30 at the Anchorage City Hall.

Investor Group to Buy 42% Equity Stake in Insight

Last week, Insight Communications reached an agreement to sell a significant portion of its equity to two private equity funds. The deal gives Crestview Partners and MidOcean Partners a 42% equity interest in Insight. According to an April 1,2010 statement announcing the deal, the two private equity groups will purchase their shares from existing shareholders and The Carlyle Group.

Court Rules Against FCC in 'Net Neutrality' Case

The DC Court of Appeals ruled yesterday that the FCC lacks the authority to require broadband providers to give equal treatment to all Internet traffic flowing over their networks. http://pacer.cadc.uscourts.gov/common/opinions/201004/08-1291-1238302.pdf

Welcome to the KATOA page

This is the web page of the Kentucky Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors. More will be forthcoming.