AT&T plan draws criticism.

Byline: Scott Marshall

Jan. 26--A cable trade group representative on Tuesday night blasted a proposed plan by AT&T that would introduce Internet Protocol Television, or IPTV, into San Ramon. The city is negotiating with AT&T to begin offering the new service, called Project Lightspeed, which would offer video, high-speed Internet access and voice service 25 times faster than what's available now on DSL. It would allow customers to select their own programming. Jeffrey Sinsheimer, vice president for law and public policy for the California Cable and Telecommunications Association, insisted to the council that Project Lightspeed is a cable system, which would require a franchise agreement under federal law. San Ramon already has a franchise agreement with Comcast, a member of the trade group. Shiyama Clunie, an AT&T manager, responded that Project Lightspeed is not a cable service as defined under the municipal code or state or federal law. It would deliver video programming over a switched, two-way interactive IP-based network, which is different than a cable system, Clunie told council members. Project Lightspeed is an upgrade, but it also would require installation of more than 41 above-ground cabinets throughout the city, Clunie said. It wouldn't be available to most residents for up to five years. The cable association wants like services regulated alike, not differently because of differing technology. "What AT&T is asking for is exceptions to state and federal law, just because they claim they are not offering cable service," Sinsheimer said. SBC, which is now AT&T, filed suit over this issue against the city of Walnut Creek last year. The Walnut Creek City Council refused to permit video services as part of the upgrade of phone and ...