Telecom Reform Bills:
Below is a list of bills Benton is tracking as Congress considers new telecommunications policy.
S.2686 the Communications, Consumer's Choice, and Broadband Deployment Act of 2006
H.R. 5252 Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006
S.2360 Internet Non-Discrimination Act of 2006
S. 2327 Wireless Innovation Act of 2006 (Winn Act)
S. 2332 American Broadband for Communities Act
S. 1504 Broadband Investment and Consumer Choice Act
H.R.__ House Commerce Comittee Draft of Telecom Reform Bill
S. 1349 Video Choice Act of 2005
H.R. 3146 Video Choice Act of 2005
How will regulators treat Internet Protocol television and telephony? How should video franchises be awarded? Will the openness of the Internet be preserved and extended in the broadband world? Can communities explore the broadband solutions that work best in their area?
These are just some of the questions Congress is considering as it takes up bills that address broad reform of US telecommunications law. This is the second major rewrite of Telecommunications Act in 70 years. Telecommunications policy affects every American family in ways that determine their access to information, how much they pay for it, and even the quality and diversity of that information.
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 was the first major rewrite of US telecommunications law. Much has changed in the past decade. Then, reform proponents promised that deregulation of the telephone and cable industries would result in competition that would lower prices for consumers while giving them more choices. Cable, long-distance and local telephone companies would each get into the others' businesses. The legislation gave little mention of the Internet.
Since passage of the 1996 Act, cable rates have surged by more than 50 percent, local phone rates have risen by 20 percent, and scores of media companies merged, denying consumers choice and competition, and depriving our democracy of diverse viewpoints.
Today's legislative debate focuses on the Internet. As the National Journal's Drew Clark writes, "Overlooking the Internet [ in the 1996 Act] meant the law gave little guidance on broadband and Internet phones. But on the positive side, neglect allowed digital applications to develop and flourish in a laissez-faire climate."
Now, phone calls, television programs and all kinds of content move over high-speed or "broadband" networks. Over broadband "pipes" into homes, telephone and cable companies are competing to offer a bundle of voice (telephony), data (Internet) and video (television) services. As Congress considers legislation this year, the lobbyists for these industries will seek a leg up on the competition.
In September 2005, the Benton Foundation joined a diverse group of public interest advocates calling on Congress to consider not just competiting commercial interests, but the public interest in communications. Congress, the groups urged, should make telecommunications policy based on a number of core values:
* Equal access, regardless of race, income, ethnicity or location, to affordable, advanced telecommunications technologies;
* The importance of ensuring that franchising agreements protect consumers, extend the benefits of competition to underserved communities, provide adequate compensation to local governments for use of public resources, provide for public access media, and flexibly address community needs;
* The right of local governments to use broadband technology to serve their residents, particularly those with low incomes or in rural areas;
* Enforceable guarantees that network owners will not interfere with content transmitted over the network or discriminate against any device, application or program run on the network;
* Enforceable guarantees that unaffiliated, independent video programmers will have access to video platforms;
* Locally owned, independent media outlets that provide a diversity of viewpoints;
* Expanded allocation of valuable public airwaves for shared, open use by local communities, commercial innovators and individual citizens.
Resources
Telecommunications Act: Competition, Innovation, and Reform (A report from the Congressional Research Service)
The Fallout From the Telecommunications Act of 1996: Unintended Consequences and Lessons Learned (Common Cause Study)
The Key Member's of Congress Making the Decisions
The Hill staff in the driver's seat