Telecom Lobbyist Spending Down 30 Percent January to June
The communications industry spent about $122 million on federal lobbying the first half of 2007, about 30 percent less than its $174.5 million outlay a year earlier, according to reports filed with the Secretary of the Senate and CQ’s Political Moneyline. The 2007 numbers aren’t final. The secretary’s office still is compiling reports, which were due Aug. 14, a Senate staffer said Wed. The interim tally shows telecom companies falling to third place, behind finance and health care, in spending.
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No major telecom groups or companies appear among the top 10 bodies ranked by spending the first half of 2007, the data show. Last year, USTelecom led the pack at $15.5 million, followed by AT&T at $15.4 million. Verizon was sixth with $11.4 million. At that time, Congress was enmeshed in discussion of a major telecom bill with profound implications for the industry.
But this year has seen less communications action and enactment of few laws affecting the industry. These include the Sept. 11 Commission Act, which funds interoperability grants, and a competitiveness bill with some broadband provisions. No major telecom bill has drawn the interest generated by last year’s video franchise measure, and, as the 2008 elections loom, telecom legislation seems even less likely, Hill sources and lobbyists said.
Overall federal lobbying outlays were down about 25 percent to $1.2 billion from $1.6 billion in the first half of 2006, reports showed. The decline isn’t unusual as a new Congress in starting and legislation is just getting under way, lobbyists said. Few communications industry issues have gotten the attention of congressional leaders. These include digital transition issues, interoperability and electronic surveillance. But Congress has treaded lightly, expressing its will through oversight hearings and letters to administration and agency officials.
Wireless companies were strong on the Hill, meeting with members on matters related to the 700 MHz auction, according to lobbying reports. The CTIA reported spending $2.6 million, beating AT&T’s $2.5 million-plus. AT&T usually spends more than any other phone company. Verizon spent $2.4 million, Verizon Wireless, $2,215,000, and USTelecom, $1.7 million, according to their reports. Cable company data included those for Comcast, $3.8 million, Cox, $2 million, and NCTA, $1.5 million, reports showed.
The NAB said the first half of 2007 it spent $4.3 million, almost the same as a year earlier. The recent outlays were spread among efforts regarding the proposed XM- Sirius merger, use of unlicensed devices, white spaces legislation, parental control technology legislation, efforts to reinstate the fairness doctrine, copyright royalties for Internet streamers, and a number of other bills related to the digital transition.