Ensign Expects '06 Action On Revised Telcom Bill

[SOURCE: Technology Daily, AUTHOR: David Hatch]
Sen. John Ensign is optimistic that the telecommunications reform bill he introduced in July will move next year as part of legislation to be assembled by Senate Commerce Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). But the Nevada Republican acknowledged that his bill -- widely viewed as favoring the Bell telecom firms -- will be modified. "It is not going to pass in this form," he told attendees at a Tuesday morning breakfast sponsored by the Federal Communications Bar Association. Sen Ensign said Hurricane Katrina and White House efforts to fill a second Supreme Court vacancy are among the factors bumping telecom action to 2006. Sen Ensign's bill would let the Bells and others provide video services without obtaining local or state franchises. But it would not require operators to expand their video networks to entire communities, a key demand of the cable industry.
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-AXTW1129666939921.html