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Time Warner Cable's Community Fiber Assault Moves Forward
Bill Sponsor Marilyn Avila Knows What's Best For Your Town

Time Warner Cable's fourth attempt in four years to get North Carolina lawmakers to ban or otherwise bureaucratically strangle communities eager to wire themselves for fiber has passed a vote in the North Carolina Public Utilities Committee. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Marilyn Avila, handed her time at the podium during last week's meeting to Time Warner Cable lobbyist Marc Trathen, who then informed attendees that all community fiber efforts (like the ongoing builds in both Salisbury and Wilson, North Carolina, which deliver services superior to Time Warner Cable) automatically result in failure, dying puppies, crying children, and other assorted global chaos. Avila mirrored those sentiments ahead of yesterday's vote according to Stop The Cap:

quote:
Rep. Marilyn Avila (R-Time Warner Cable) decided that openly distorting the record of success community broadband has had would be a good way to proceed. In comments before a jam-packed room this afternoon, Avila claimed fiber optic broadband systems have a long history of “failures,” which is ironic considering her promise to exempt these so-called failures from her bill’s anti-competitive regulatory regime. Honestly, it was the first time we can recall a sitting legislator openly trashing her own state’s advanced broadband network successes.
It's unclear if anyone has asked Avila a few pointed questions, like "if such projects are automatic abysmal failures, why isn't Time Warner Cable simply content to allow them to fail instead of trying to pass the same law four consecutive years?" Or, "if Time Warner Cable's service price and pace of upgrades are satisfying the market, why are these communities building these networks?" Or perhaps "why aren't individual communities allowed to make up their own minds about what's best for the community, instead of being told what's best by Time Warner Cable?"

All these questions ignored, the Time Warner Cable lobbied bill now stumbles toward a vote in front of the state Finance Committee ahead of a broader vote.
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AndyDufresne
Premium Member
join:2010-10-30
Chanhassen, MN

AndyDufresne

Premium Member

Sponsor logos on their lawmaker's jackets

The reps. should wear sponsor logos on their jackets to make it easier for the public to identify these crooks. Turning over a meeting just shows that Avila has no idea what she is talking about.
Dampier
Phillip M Dampier
join:2003-03-23
Rochester, NY

1 recommendation

Dampier

Member

Re: Sponsor logos on their lawmaker's jackets


Rep. Avila
We helped....
gorehound
join:2009-06-19
Portland, ME

gorehound

Member

Re: Sponsor logos on their lawmaker's jackets

Rep. Marilyn Avila (R-Time Warner Cable) another asshole politician who took money behind closed doors.

frak you slime warner
ashworth7
join:2001-10-06
Pittsburgh, PA

ashworth7 to Dampier

Member

to Dampier
Beautiful !! LOL Now vote her out, another disconnected legislator on the take.

MEohME
@wideopenwest.com

MEohME to AndyDufresne

Anon

to AndyDufresne
she does know what she's talking about. iProvo was JUST ONE of those projects that failed. You do realize ANY business the Gov't gets into can NEVER EVER make a profit or break even? The IRS does NOT allow that. There for will always operate in the red and anytime a new upgrades are required or even content contracts come up; they may NEVER be able to either #1 make the upgrades or #2 even agree to keep said channels? What are you going do to then? Move back to TWC or ATT U-Verse? After all that's what others would do. Who cares if you get a better deal with the local gov't. They don't have what people want when they can't afford it. What would happen if a hurricane came and took out the FTTH network? Who's going to be able to rebuild that network? ATT, Comcast and TWC are STILL doing that with the South. The City would NEVER be able to rebuild the network all over again. You may think its better for the city now; but you don't think about the future. Philip doesn't either as long as his website gets posted with his name attached as the "editor" of just another blog.
sonicmerlin
join:2009-05-24
Cleveland, OH

sonicmerlin

Member

Re: Sponsor logos on their lawmaker's jackets

said by MEohME :

she does know what she's talking about. iProvo was JUST ONE of those projects that failed. You do realize ANY business the Gov't gets into can NEVER EVER make a profit or break even? The IRS does NOT allow that. There for will always operate in the red and anytime a new upgrades are required or even content contracts come up; they may NEVER be able to either #1 make the upgrades or #2 even agree to keep said channels? What are you going do to then? Move back to TWC or ATT U-Verse? After all that's what others would do. Who cares if you get a better deal with the local gov't. They don't have what people want when they can't afford it. What would happen if a hurricane came and took out the FTTH network? Who's going to be able to rebuild that network? ATT, Comcast and TWC are STILL doing that with the South. The City would NEVER be able to rebuild the network all over again. You may think its better for the city now; but you don't think about the future. Philip doesn't either as long as his website gets posted with his name attached as the "editor" of just another blog.

This entire post is so confoundingly bizarre and filled with so many inaccuracies and misleading conclusions I actually laughed.
old_wiz_60
join:2005-06-03
Bedford, MA

old_wiz_60 to AndyDufresne

Member

to AndyDufresne
They would need a lot of space to cover all of their "sponsors". For comparison look at some NASCAR race cars - they are covered in logos.

Anyone who believes that there are honest politicians left is living in a fantasy world.

In most countries "sponsors" would be guilty of bribery, but here is is acceptable.

Duramax08
To The Moon
Premium Member
join:2008-08-03
San Antonio, TX

Duramax08

Premium Member

For the NC folks, if any is reading this...

Let her know how you feel. Heres the ways of contacting her.

»www.facebook.com/pages/R ··· ?ref=sgm

»twitter.com/MarilynAvila

»www.marilynavila.com/

Contact Marilyn

marilyn@marilynavila.com

Marilyn Avila
11312 Derby Lane
Raleigh, NC 27613

919.280.6084
mworks
join:2006-06-13
Rose Hill, NC

1 recommendation

mworks

Member

Re: For the NC folks, if any is reading this...

I would but it will not matter because TWC can pay more than I can. That is the whole problem with our system of government. Officials can promise the world before being elected then once elected can do what they want for 4 years and we have no choice but to put up with their decisions for those years.

There needs to be some sort of contract these officials have to sign before taking office outlining everything they say to get elected and when they break them , kick them out of office before their term is up.

Matt3
All noise, no signal.
Premium Member
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC

Matt3

Premium Member

Re: For the NC folks, if any is reading this...

said by mworks:

I would but it will not matter

If people would stop thinking this, it would matter.
mworks
join:2006-06-13
Rose Hill, NC

mworks

Member

Re: For the NC folks, if any is reading this...

Why would it matter ? If she is not going to run for re-election then what will she gain by doing something I want ? Instead she can take the money from TWC and profit and ignore me and lose nothing.

Matt3
All noise, no signal.
Premium Member
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC

Matt3

Premium Member

Re: For the NC folks, if any is reading this...

said by mworks:

Why would it matter ? If she is not going to run for re-election then what will she gain by doing something I want ? Instead she can take the money from TWC and profit and ignore me and lose nothing.

Another alternative is that she could get on a horse and ride up the lawn of the capitol praising Time Warner.

We can play what if's all day.

Call your local representative, not her.
jkeelsnc
join:2008-08-22
Greensboro, NC

jkeelsnc to Duramax08

Member

to Duramax08
Thank you for your contribution even though you are not in NC. An R would never have posted this information. They'd rather the fat cats get everything for themselves.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Why isn't TWC simply content to allow them to fail ?

How about because until they do fail, it costs them money?
CopperFiber
join:2009-12-08

1 recommendation

CopperFiber

Member

Re: Why isn't TWC simply content to allow them to fail ?

Well now they don't want competition they don't want nobody else knows something better out there besides their services low quality what they offer ! Which they know fiber to the home is better than copper. Welcome to slow North Carolina !

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: Why isn't TWC simply content to allow them to fail ?

said by CopperFiber:

Well now they don't want competition they don't want nobody else knows something better out there besides their services

Of course they don't. Businesses aren't for competition. That would be stupid on their part. Consumers want competition. The question is, should the taxpayers thru the state be the ones providing that competition? Or should the state just be encouraging other private companies to come in and provide that competition? And how could they encourage other private companies to provide competition? How about by not taxing businesses to death?
mworks
join:2006-06-13
Rose Hill, NC

1 recommendation

mworks

Member

Re: Why isn't TWC simply content to allow them to fail ?

Taxes are not the problem with deploying broadband. Monopolies and right of ways are the problem. It simply cost too much for another competitor to install new lines , dig up roads, to install a service to compete with the existing ones. The only way competition will increase is if government prohibits the ability of telecom to own the last mile to the home. Make that last mile line a public utility and require it to be open to all competitors.
Then they all can sell their services and the only thing the cities and taxpayers have to worry about funding is the line from the box on the street to the home. That is how other countries like south korea have cheap broadband, the government their owns the last mile but anyone can sell service over it. With 30+ ISP per home prices drop.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: Why isn't TWC simply content to allow them to fail ?

said by mworks:

The only way competition will increase is if government prohibits the ability of telecom to own the last mile to the home. Make that last mile line a public utility and require it to be open to all competitors.

Unfortunately for your idea, that ship sailed in 1996 when the gov't promised the telcos that IF they ran fiber, they wouldn't have to share it. The government is already super deep in debt. They can't afford to buy all the last mile infrastructure from the providers. And before you say just take it from them, US courts won't allow that to happen unless the government pays for it.

HappyAnarchy
@iauq.com

HappyAnarchy

Anon

Re: Why isn't TWC simply content to allow them to fail ?

Except many of them didn't, and all of them didn't to the degree they agreed too.

Long story short, we get screwed unless... we do muni fiber projects to bypass the screwjob.

Best part about doing muni fiber projects? It doesn't put the incumbents out of business, it employs people, it provides competition and spurs growth and innovation. It encourages small businesses (at least the one out here, Utopia, actually works through local ISPs rather than direct to consumers) and encourages business growth in general.

This is good for the customers, not terrible for incumbents, though not as sweet as the current sweetheart situation they have now with competing with a nod and a wink.
The alternative that we have now is terrible for customers and great for incumbents.

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

1 edit

Karl Bode to FFH5

News Guy

to FFH5

The question is, should the taxpayers thru the state be the ones providing that competition?

No, the question is, who are you -- and who is Time Warner Cable -- to tell any community, anywhere, what they can and cannot do with their own finances and infrastructure?

How about by not taxing businesses to death?

Corporate tax rates continue to plummet for most of these major carriers.

vpoko
Premium Member
join:2003-07-03
Boston, MA

vpoko

Premium Member

I'd like to see these efforts expanded to other services

Bottled water companies should push for a similar bill banning public water distribution systems. It's entirely unfair that Poland Spring has to compete with municipal water supplies.

JigglyWiggly
join:2009-07-12
Pleasanton, CA

JigglyWiggly

Member

Re: I'd like to see these efforts expanded to other services

Screw dat old whore.
FIBER > HER
Iceman4u2
Premium Member
join:2003-12-02
Rochester, NY

Iceman4u2 to vpoko

Premium Member

to vpoko
Dude are you whacked??? I suggest you go fire up NETFLIX and watch the documentary called "Tapped". Why you would even suggest something like that is crazy at best and stupid at worst.
bt
join:2009-02-26
canada

bt

Member

Re: I'd like to see these efforts expanded to other services

I think your satire detector is broken.

vpoko
Premium Member
join:2003-07-03
Boston, MA

vpoko to Iceman4u2

Premium Member

to Iceman4u2
said by Iceman4u2:

Why you would even suggest something like that is crazy at best and stupid at worst.

To draw attention to how stupid something similar is.

El Quintron
Cancel Culture Ambassador
Premium Member
join:2008-04-28
Tronna

El Quintron to Iceman4u2

Premium Member

to Iceman4u2
said by Iceman4u2:

Dude are you whacked??? I suggest you go fire up NETFLIX and watch the documentary called "Tapped". Why you would even suggest something like that is crazy at best and stupid at worst.

I think he was trying to illustrate how stupid the situation with TWC is.
Sammer
join:2005-12-22
Canonsburg, PA

Sammer

Member

If the Federal Government actually served the people

There would be a federal law overturning these state bans because they violate the interstate commerce clause. Can you imagine a law banning a municipality from building a road or highway because the internet is exactly the same.

kyjohn68
join:2010-11-21
Catlettsburg, KY

kyjohn68

Member

...

WOW, why does oure elected officials allow these companies pretty much anything they want? Our country is behind on almost every avenue, and we the consumer just keep getting milked.

Unbelievable...
Mr Matt
join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL

1 recommendation

Mr Matt

Member

Re: ...

Simple: Our lawmakers are corrupt are being paid off by corporate special interests and the ultra wealthy who want to keep their 81% increase in wealth over the last ten years. They speak through generous campaign contributions and pay for unlimited media attacks on the opposition, while ordinary citizens suck wind.

kyjohn68
join:2010-11-21
Catlettsburg, KY

kyjohn68

Member

Re: ...

You hit that nail on the head!

MEohME
@wideopenwest.com

MEohME

Anon

Read the bill?

Has anyone bothered to read this bill? Or just say its bad? You do realize that IT ALLOWS PUBLIC/PARTNER projects? The only thing is STOPS is FULL Public use money. Any new projects would REQUIRE the city to partner with a company to actually offer this service. So it's NOT fully bad. Ohio has one where it BANS ALL Muni builds.
bt
join:2009-02-26
canada

bt

Member

Re: Read the bill?

Just because it could be worse doesn't mean it isn't bad.

digdeeper
@charter.com

digdeeper to MEohME

Anon

to MEohME
Yes - I read it and it does NOT allow public/private partnerships. Time Warner Cable wrote the bill so that all purchases of facilities, equipment, anything related to the operation of a municipally-associated com service can only be funded with general obligation bonds. GO bonds cannot be used but for a sliver of private sector purposes - makes sense since they are directly backed by the full faith and credit of the City, e.g. it's taxpayers.Ironic, no, TWC has changed the funding from a financial tool that does not ball on the backs of taxpayers (COPS funding) to one that puts all the risk on the taxpayers, who TWCs feigns caring SOOO much about....
biochemistry
Premium Member
join:2003-05-09
92361

biochemistry

Premium Member

Better Bill

Since TW is so worried about municipal fiber, here's a better bill. It would require Time Warner to provide fiber to the home to any city in the state that requested it or be forced to pay huge penalties that will go toward paying for the municipality to set up their own fiber project. Time Warner wins because they can serve the entire state without competition if they choose. The municipalties win because they can still set up fiber to the home if TW refuses.

I'm completely serious about this bill by the way.

MEohME
@wideopenwest.com

MEohME

Anon

Re: Better Bill

like everyone else on here that is bitching about the bill- YOU NEVER even read it. If you took the time to read it. This bill does NOT stop the cities from offering FTTH. It only STOPs the use of doing it all on their own- iPROVO/LUS/Wilson. it would require the CITY to PARTNER with a private company- and there are MANY out there. Maybe Sonic.net?
biochemistry
Premium Member
join:2003-05-09
92361

biochemistry

Premium Member

Re: Better Bill

The fact that you're an anonymous coward speaks volumes about you and your beliefs.

buzz_4_20
join:2003-09-20
Dover, NH

buzz_4_20

Member

If you can't beat 'em...

Sue Them so they can't compete...
tmc8080
join:2004-04-24
Brooklyn, NY

tmc8080

Member

landlocked cable & telco monopoly = consumer screwed

time warner's been sitting on docsis 3 for over a year and screwing their customer base with entry level broadband below 10 megabits for over decade while charging premium prices. if you don't innovate then get the hell out of the way for a business who can.

a 25/25 tier on DOCSIS 3.0 should be $50 or less by now, but instead the cable industry has not turned up the pressure on telco's like at&t to compete, so they don't. that duopoly power is what should be under assault by the FREE MARKET COMPETITON. this goes for telco and cableco alike. in places where Verizon stopped building fiber should be fair game as well. the biggest example is the comcast / at&t geographies, but time warner's profits lie in the content business and they're not giving that up so easily cannibalizing it with broadband (and the slippery slope of "piracy"). nevertheless, someone else will so it's better to profit some, then none. get off the ass and give people what they want!!!

if docsis 3.0 isn't commonplace in the cable broadband subscribership by the end of 2012, you know you have the cable industry to blame and that deserves an anti-cable industry push for competition in the broadband market with a 3rd wired last mile ISP.
jkeelsnc
join:2008-08-22
Greensboro, NC

jkeelsnc

Member

Fail?

This B is full of crap. There is already a VERY successful fiber network NC has built that connects schools, libraries, and esp our many universities here. NCREN (NC research and education network) has been one of the premiere networks of its kind in the country. There are a lot of schools and small private colleges that would not have the kind of internet connection they have today without NCREN and it has been a tremendous success. This is another reason why none of should be voting for the criminals with the R and the elephant on their back. They are criminals. LOL

I will stop short of spanking them or kicking their behind up between their shoulders with a steel toe shoe. Though if it happened in real life then I would say they earned it and I would have any sympathies. LOL

Anyway, I am on TWC and actually it is alright for me. However, for TWC to have a say in what local governments do is nonsense. And also, this business of corporations having the legal rights of a person is criminal. Again, if you vote for an R you will get a criminal who only looks out for a quick buck in their own wallet. Just so you know who you voted for when you voted R. The d's are sometimes corrupt too. However, more of them care a little bit about our country than the R's that focus only on what they think about anyone else.

Now, fellow NC'in's... lets get out there and have even larger letter writing campaign than we did in 2009. Show them whose boss and make them VERY afraid of us. VERY afraid to do the wrong thing.

Bill Neilson
Premium Member
join:2009-07-08
Alexandria, VA

Bill Neilson

Premium Member

Yet another reason how this true capitalism argument

is laughably wrong.

These ISP's have effectively shut out any competitors that aren't million/billion dollar companies already

Any little guys who offer great deals will be stopped legally since the major ISP's have contributed heavy amounts to the politicians