http://www.ustelecom.org/USTelecom Press Release RSS feed.5Background: Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit upheld a 2007 Federal Communications Commission Order barring local cable franchising authorities from blocking competitive entrants to the video services market.http://www.ustelecom.org//News/NewsItems/Consumers-Win-in-US-Court-of-Appeals-Cable-Franchise-Ruling.htmlBackground: Today, the United States Telecom Association (USTelecom) filed a brief with the Federal Communications Commission in support of Verizon’s petition for a stay of the Commission’s order directing Verizon to end its retention marketing program.http://www.ustelecom.org//News/NewsItems/USTelecom-Urges-FCC-To-Stay-Retention-Marketing-Order.htmlBackground: Today, the Senate overwhelmingly passed the 2008 Farm Bill, legislation that will streamline the Rural Utility Service broadband loan program.http://www.ustelecom.org//News/NewsItems/Senate-Vote-on-Farm-Bill-Helps-Bring-Rural-Consumers-One-Step-Closer-to-the-Benefits-of-Broadband.htmlWASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, in an address to The Media Institute, Walter B. McCormick Jr., President and CEO of the United States Telecom Association (USTelecom) outlined the many ways that broadband is changing our lives today. From improved health care, to distance learning, entertainment opportunities and environmental benefits, broadband has made a tremendous impact on consumers, investment and the U.S. economy.http://www.ustelecom.org//News/NewsItems/USTelecom-CEO-Outlines-What-Broadband-Means-for-Consumers-Investment-and-the-US-Economy.htmlBackground: Today, the House passed the 2008 Farm Bill which includes provisions to improve the Rural Utility Service’s broadband program.http://www.ustelecom.org//News/NewsItems/USTelecom-Praises-House-Passage-of-2008-Farm-Bill.htmlWASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, in testimony before the House Telecom Subcommittee of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Walter B. McCormick Jr., President and CEO of the United States Telecom Association (USTelecom), urged Congress to take the time to gather the facts on broadband deployment before enacting premature legislation that could impede investment and innovation in broadband that helps protect the environment and delivers better health care and education services to consumers.http://www.ustelecom.org//News/NewsItems/McCormick-Tells-Telecom-Subcommittee-Internet-Legislation-Will-Chill-Broadband-Innovation.htmlBackground: Late Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission released an order imposing a cap on high cost universal service support.http://www.ustelecom.org//News/NewsItems/USTelecom-Applauds-FCCs-Cap-on-Universal-Service-Support-for-CETCS.htmlWASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, in comments filed before the Federal Communications Commission, the United States Telecom Association (USTelecom) recommended several steps for the Commission to take to comprehensively reform the high cost support mechanism for universal service.http://www.ustelecom.org//News/NewsItems/USTelecom-Outlines-Steps-toward-Comprehensive-Reform-of-the-Universal-Service-High-Cost-Support-Mechanism.htmlLas Vegas – Monday, in a keynote address at the Telecom2008 conference at the NAB Show, Walter B. McCormick Jr., President and CEO of the United States Telecom Association (USTelecom), discussed the state of broadband and the potential it holds for consumers and economic growth.http://www.ustelecom.org//News/NewsItems/USTelecom-CEO-Outlines-Promises-of-a-Broadband-Nation-in-Telecom2008-Keynote-at-NAB-Show.html