TWL: Satellite TV
Subject: TWL: Satellite TV
From: Charles Culotta (cculotta@XXX.XXX)
Date: Tue Mar 19 2002 - 21:38:12 EST
Twills,
I received this fr Elaine Dickinson of BOAT US. It is a copy of the BOAT US
letter to John Breaux.
(Mike Sciulla is their lobbyist)
As you read it take special notice of who BOAT US blames for boaters
plight!!!
DIREC TV can only follow the law and the law specifically does not mention
vessels.
Note that BOAT US holds itself out to us as being our advocate and
lobbyist.
Keep those cards and letters going to BOAT US .
This cause has made it to the KK list , Keith K advised me of that
recently. I suggest that if you are on another , boating, list enlist their
help in making BOAT US aware of just how many are affected.
>
> > March 11, 2002
> >
> > The Hon. John Breaux
> > United States Senate
> > SH-503, HSOB
> > Washington, DC 20510-1803
> >
> > Dear Senator Breaux,
> >
> > We have been contacted by a number of your constituents who own boats,
> > including Mr. Charles Culotta of Patterson, LA, (see attached) about the
> > lack of service by DirecTV in providing them the same satellite service
> > that recreational vehicle (RV) owners enjoy.
> >
> > As best we can ascertain, the Satellite Home Viewer Improvements Act of
> > 1999 (PL 106-379) provided many protections for subscribers, including
> > those in mobile homes, truck and RVs. For reasons unknown, RV owners got
a
> > special exemption in the Act that allows them, as mobile receivers, to
get
> > satellite feeds of local network affiliates. Apparently boat owners were
> > left out of this definition of recreational users and got no such
> > exemption.
> >
> > The result is that DirecTV refuses to provide boat owners subscribing,
and
> > paying, for the same services, any network feeds once they are out of
> > their home area. Many BoatU.S. members are complaining of this inequity
> > and citing the useful weather and news broadcasts that enhance their
> > safety on the water.
> >
> > Our quandary is that DirecTV refuses to grant any waivers to boat owners
> > and their applications seem to be routinely dismissed. It is uncertain
as
> > to whether the FCC has the authority to reinterpret the definition of
what
> > a recreational vehicle is.
> >
> > As a member of the Communications Subcommittee, I would appreciate it if
> > you would contact the FCC and ask them to look into this matter and see
if
> > a regulatory remedy is possible. While this issue may seem a small
matter
> > to some, as more Americans retire we are definitely seeing an increase
in
> > the number of long distance cruisers and liveaboards who want all the
> > amenities of home onboard their boats, including satellite TV.
> >
> >
> > Thank you for any assistance you can provide.
> >
> > Sincerely yours,
> >
> >
> >
> > Michael G. Sciulla,
> > V.P.
> > Government and
> > Public Affairs
> >
> >
> CCC
LETS ROLL
CHARLES and PAT CULOTTA
Patterson, La.
http://www.geocities.com/charlesculotta/
