Comprehensive telecom reform
The Comprehensive Telecom Reform bill is an act, introduced in 2006, to help fix the flaws of the United States Telecommunications Act of 1996 by making a new digital act for the increasing digital world. It will attempt to do this by following a 10 point agenda.
Overview
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 was an analog act for a digital world, and as such has many flaws. The authors were focused on a local vs. long distance relationship which is no longer relevant as both are commonly packaged together. It also did not anticipate the high demand and growth of the broadband/high-speed internet access market. Perhaps most importantly though, is the fact that the authors of the Telecom Act failed to appreciate the reality and speed technological convergence and technological obsolescence.
The 10 Point Agenda
1: Repeal marketplace quarantines
2: End regulatory asymmetry
3: Contain the forced-access virus
4: Pursue spectrum reform and privatization
5: Reform and devolve the universal service and the "E-Rate"
6: Eliminate the "Public Interest" standard
7: End "Regulatory Extortion" and antitrust abuses
8: End the broadcast and internet censorship crusade
9: Clean up the telecom industry tax mess
10: Undertake sweeping agency reform and craft A Plan for eventual closure
The Future of the Act
The act will be voted on in the November 2006 election and will seek to replace FCC chair positions.
See also
- Telecommunications Act of 1996
- Communications Act of 1934
- COPE Act of 2006 (Communications Act of 2006)