FCC Chairman Wheeler’s Remarks on 20th Anniversary of Telecommunications Act

The Telecommunications Act was a watershed between the era of analog networks and the competition-enhancing, converged networks of the digital era. Its authors had a vision – the vision to enact flexible and sensible policies that would allow the bounteous effects of digital networks to benefit consumers by stimulating competition and innovation. But of course, neither the authors of the legislation – nor anyone – could have imagined the digital communications cornucopia that was to come.

The Telecom Act of 1996 was a kick in the pants that focused and accelerated trends that had been percolating in both Congressional and [Federal Communications Commission] policy debates. With the Telecom Act, Congress moved from percolating to a full boil the shift in policy to encourage competition rather than the previous micromanagement of scarcity. Then that boiling bucket was passed to [FCC Chairman] Reed Hundt and the FCC to implement; a prodigious lift that led to 84 implementation decisions in 18 months. Those of us today who operate in the shadow of the leaders who charted this new course have the incredible privilege of continuing what they started…. The Telecom Act recognized the importance of access to networks. The establishment of E-Rate connected America’s schools and libraries to the Internet. The creation of a Universal Service Fund to support access by those in high-cost areas as well as low-income Americans established as national policy that broadband connectivity must reach all Americans, regardless of location, means, or ability. And, of course, access to networks goes hand-in-hand with access on open, fast and fair networks.