Communications, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006

On March 27, 2006, House Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) released a new version of a bill he hopes will be the vehicle for updating the country’s communications law. The Communications, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006 would, in part, prevent regulations from slowing the entry of new competitors into the pay-TV services market. Specifically, the bill would 1) create a nationwide approval process for pay-TV services; 2) require Internet-based telephone services to offer 9-1-1 capabilities while ensuring Internet telephone providers have access to all necessary 9-1-1 infrastructure and technology; 3) clarify the FCC authority to prevent Internet service providers from blocking or degrading any content or applications delivered over the public Internet; 4) preserve municipalities’ right to collect up to a five percent fee from pay-TV providers; and 5) allow cities and towns to develop their own broadband networks.

With the support of House Republican leaders including House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), if any major telecommunication reform bill passes through the House during this Congress, it is likely to be this one. Follow the link below for a summary of the 34-page bill as well as a look at what might be missing from this effort to reform US telecom policy.