• Time Warner Cable spent $1.8 mln in 4Q lobbying
By Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Time Warner Cable Inc., the nation’s second largest cable operator, spent $1.8 million in the fourth quarter lobbying the federal government on issues such as getting broadcast rights for local channels.
That’s more than the $1.4 million it spent in the third quarter and the $1.3 million for the second quarter. In the first quarter, Time Warner Cable spent $270,000.
Time Warner Cable lobbied over getting broadcast rights to local channels as its contract with the Fox television network was expiring at the end of 2009. The two sparred over the compensation Fox was to receive in exchange for giving Time Warner Cable the right to retransmit the signals of some of its local stations. A deal was reached on Jan. 1.
The company also lobbied on video taxes, broadband access issues and online targeted ads. Time Warner Cable lobbied Congress and the Federal Trade Commission in the October to December period, according to a filing made with the House clerk’s office on Jan. 20.
• Va expand government Internet options
By Associated Press
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia is adding 15 Internet broadband providers for state and local government to use.
The Virginia Information Technologies Agency says it’s aiming to give agencies faster access and backup options if their primary service fails.
Secretary of Technology Jim Duffey said Monday that the new options include cable modems, satellite, wireless and fiber service.
Deputy Secretary Karen Jackson says primary provider Verizon’s broadband service doesn’t cover the whole state. As a result, some government workers have to use slower dial-up access.
