Telecom group backs FCC reform bills

A major telecom trade group threw its support behind legislation to overhaul the Federal Communications Commission ahead of next week's markup in the House Commerce Committee.

U.S. Telecom, which represents both large and small telecom providers, sent a letter to panel Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) applauding the scheduled markup Feb 8 of two bills from Telecom subpanel Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) that would reform the way the FCC does business. "As Communications subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden has indicated, the bills being scheduled for markup Tuesday will ensure that best practices become a part of statute, that transparency will not depend upon who is serving as chairman, and that there will be consistency of application and predictability among administrations," wrote U.S. Telecom President Walter McCormick Jr. The process reform bills would consolidate some reporting requirements, codify the unofficial shot clock for merger reviews and limit the types of conditions the agency can place on transactions. Other provisions would likely make it more difficult for the FCC to pass new regulations.