CONNECTING HOMETOWN AMERICA What “Change” in Washington Means to ME! Matt Polka, Pres./CEO, ACA American Cable Association Telergee CFO Conference Newcastle, NH October 16, 2009

Why Should I Care??? 2

Why Should I Care??? Learning from the Lessons of the Past (So We Don’t Repeat Them!) Parallels, 1992-93 and 2008-09 Changing of the Old to New Guard DC less business-oriented in its policy Regulate, Regulate, Regulate!!! 3

Why Should I Care??? Big Issues Dominate, But Little Ones (Like Ours) Matter Health Care, Immigration, Social Security, etc., etc. But like 1992-93, TV issues matter. Today, it’s BROADBAND. The “Third Rail” of Politics 4

Why Should I Care??? Our Business is Highly Regulated Virtually every aspect of our business has a policy/political component. Phone and broadband now Maybe programming soon too If we miss the details, we may miss the boat. 5

Why Should I Care??? Our Business is Based on Relationships and There are Important Relationships in DC Too. Key Congressional Leaders in Our States Do you know them? You should! Do they know you? They should! 6

Ok, you’ve convinced me. I care about DC. Now, what do I do??? 7

Now What Do I Do??? Know the Issues – What’s Happening and What We Would Like to See Changed Issues Congress and the FCC care about and push forward Issues that WE care about and want to insert into the political debate We have to be Advocates! 8

Now What Do I Do??? Know the Issues Washington Cares About Broadband Stimulus National Broadband Plan Net Neutrality Satellite Home Viewer Act Universal Service Reform Consumer Rates, Choices and Access 9

Now What Do I Do??? Know the Issues WE Care About Retransmission Consent Reform Fair Access to Broadband Stimulus Parity in SHVA DMA Reform/Copyright Content Neutrality Appropriate Network Management/Consumption Billing Proper USF Reform 10

Now What Do I Do??? Know the Issues – Broadband Stimulus $7.2 Billion Available NTIA/RUS ACA – 83 companies applied, seeking $1.3 Billion – last/middle mile-adoption $28 Billion Applied for! 2,200 Apps. Barriers to Cable Ops 10-Yr No-Sale, Loan Subord., Tax Consequences, P.E. Requirements 11

Now What Do I Do??? Become a Better Advocate ACA Members – “Every Connection Counts” Attend the ACA WashDC Summit 04/19-21/10 Host a meeting for lawmakers at your office. Send your “good news” to DC/District offices. Attend fundraisers; get connected locally. Get to know by name the telecom staffer. Let them know how you feel about pending issues. 12

Now What Do I Do??? Seek True Working Partnerships Operators vs. Content Providers Us vs. Them – WHY??? Who wins? NOT the Consumer! WashDC will not care about your businesses if consumers revolt. NOW is the time to fix things…before it is too late. 13

The Door of Opportunity Opens… 14

The Door of Opportunity Opens… Better with a Little Pushing! 15

Thank You! Matthew M. Polka mpolka@americancable.org (412) 922-8300, Ext. 14 (direct) www.americancable.org Follow me at: http://twitter.com/MATTatACA END