[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 86 (Thursday, June 30, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           COMMUNICATIONS OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 1994 INTRODUCED

                                 ______


                          HON. BILL RICHARDSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 29, 1994

  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, today Congresswomen Cardiss Collins and 
Patricia Schroeder joined me in introducing the Communications 
Opportunity Act of 1994, to ensure that small businesses, rural 
telephone companies, and businesses owned by minority groups and 
women--designated entities--are able to successfully participate in the 
provision of wireless services.
  Later this year the Federal Communications Commission [FCC] will 
undertake the unprecedented step of auctioning off publicly held 
frequency spectrum to private entities. The auction process will allow 
for the creation of a host of new telecommunications services. Under 
the FCC auction, new wireless services will proliferate, new industries 
will emerge, thousands of jobs will be created, and Americans will have 
entirely new ways to communicate. It is imperative that all 
constituencies, whether they are rural, women, minorities, or small 
businesses, have a real opportunity to offer wireless services.
  Our legislation will codify the use of license set-asides for 
designated entities in conducting spectrum auctions. While the FCC 
adopted progressive rules regarding designated entities in today's 
personal communications services rulemaking, these steps do not go far 
enough. The FCC took too long in coming to its decision today and over 
the last month I have had to spend too much time and energy on an issue 
that should not even be questioned. This legislation will ensure that 
designated entity participation is not taken for granted in future 
auction rulemakings. The Communications Opportunity Act will also 
maintain the flexibility that Congress intended when it originally 
ordered the auctions in the 1993 Budget Reconciliation Act. Minorities, 
women, and small and rural businesses have been left out of the 
provision of telecommunication services for too long and we want to 
ensure that, as we auction spectrum to commercial interests, the public 
interest in having designated entities offer telecommunications 
services is upheld.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

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