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MagicJack
Open Access Across The US
Open access around the
United States:
Pittsburgh is not the only city
in the United States that is in the middle of a battle for open Internet
access. Local governments across the country are considering whether to
mandate that AT&T and other cable companies open their lines and provide
free choice for all Internet surfers.
Portland, OR
In December 1998, the city of
Portland and surrounding Multnomah County became the first communities
to require that AT&T open its cable network to competitive Internet
Service Providers for high-speed Internet connections. Acting on the
recommendation of the local cable advisory board, the city and county
commissioners made open access a condition for transferring the cable
franchise license held by TCI-the area's cable provider-to AT&T, which
purchased TCI earlier last year. When AT&T refused to accept this
condition, the city and county denied the franchise transfer.
In response, AT&T filed suit in
U.S. District Court, claiming the local governments lacked the authority
to impose open access conditions on the franchise transfer. On June 4,
1999, the court ruled in favor of Portland, upholding their authority to
require open access. AT&T has appealed the ruling to the federal appeals
court in San Francisco.
Broward County, FL
Following in Portland's
footsteps, the county commission in Broward County, Florida, voted in
July to require local cable companies to provide open access for
high-speed Internet connections. In this case, the cable lines are
operated by MediaOne, another company being acquired by AT&T. Again,
instead allowing competition to its Internet service, AT&T is taking the
county to court. AT&T's lawsuit against Broward County was filed in U.S.
District Court in Miami.
Fairfax City, VA
The City of Fairfax has joined
the growing list of local authorities that are standing up for consumer
choice by requiring high-speed cable Internet providers to open their
networks to fair competition.
\The threat of discriminatory
cable broadband control triggered a vigorous outcry among the city’s
Internet users. The issue came before the Fairfax City Council on
September 28, and by a 4-2 vote. Council placed an open access condition
on the transfer of the Media General cable System to Cox Cable, one of
the largest cable companies in the country, and a partner in
Excite@Home.
Miami/Dade County, FL
The Miami/Dade County Commission
began looking into an open access policy in March, as it addressed the
transfer of the cable franchise license from TCI to AT&T. A vote on the
issue is scheduled for October 19, 1999, the second meeting after the
summer recess.
San Francisco, CA
While the San Francisco Board of
Supervisors passed a resolution supporting the principle of open access
in July, they did not require AT&T to open its high-speed Internet
access network to competitors. The Board did, however, direct the city
to file a Friend of the Court Brief supporting Portland, OR in its
appeal. The resolution allows for the board to revisit the issue in
coming months, particularly if the federal appeals court upholds
Portland's open access regulations. An RFI was released October 1, 1999
to implement the Open Access policy. The matter returns to the Board fo
Supervisors for implementation December 15, 1999.
Los Angeles, CA
In Los Angeles, the open access
issue was referred to the city's Information Technology Agency-an
advisory panel to the city council whose members are appointed by the
mayor. The agency released its report on June 18, 1999, recommending
that the city monitor the issue over the next three years rather than
impose open access conditions. However, three members of the five-person
panel resigned in protest over the report and ongoing disagreements with
Mayor Richard Riordan, who opposes open access. Mayor Riordan has since
recused himself from any decision making on the open access issue.
The Los Angeles City Council has
not yet acted on the Information Technology Agency's recommendation. A
new chairman was recently appointed to the council's Information
Technology Committee.
King County, WA
The King County Council has
appointed an expert panel to conduct a study of the open access issue.
Appointed in June, the panel held its first meeting in July and will
hold hearings on the issue. The panel's report is expected in October.
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