House Panel Approves Telecom Bill; Rejects Democratic 'Buildout' Plan

HOUSE PANEL APPROVES TELECOM BILL; REJECTS DEMOCRATIC 'BUILDOUT' PLAN
[SOURCE: Congress Daily, AUTHOR: Drew Clark]
As a House of Representatives subcommittee moved toward passage of a telecommunications overhaul bill prior to the forthcoming Easter congressional recess, it rejected a Democratic-sponsored amendment that would have required the regional Bell operating companies to “build out” services to all customers within given geographic areas. The move came as the House Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee approved legislation to grant national franchises to the Bells and other new entrants into the pay video market. On another key issue, the subcommittee also voted down a Democratic amendment designed to strengthen provisions in the bill related to "network neutrality" -- which involves a requirement that the Bells and cable operators not discriminate against outside Internet content providers in sending data over high speed networks. House Commerce ranking member John Dingell (D-MI) and Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee ranking member Edward Markey (D-MA) offered the buildout amendment, which was defeated 22-11. Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) opposed the amendment, which he said "really goes to the heart of the bill." In fact, differences over the buildout issue were key to the breakdown of negotiations between Chairman Barton and Rep Dingell last month as they sought to reach a bipartisan accord on telecom legislation.
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-BKZH1144269035135.html

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