[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 10 (Wednesday, February 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1996

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                           HON. JERRY WELLER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 1998

  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, two years ago this week the President signed 
into law the Telecommunications Act of 1996 aimed at removing monopoly 
protections and creating fair, full and open competition in the 
communications marketplace. One of the primary goals in passing this 
law was to give consumers the benefits of more choices, lower prices 
and greater quality in their telephone and cable services.
  Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, it hasn't happened. In lieu of 
competition, consumers in many areas of the country are seeing mergers 
of massive proportions, higher cable rates and lawsuits filed by 
frustrated competitors seeking to enter the long distance market. 
Having said that, I would point out that Ameritech, the regional 
communications company that serves my home state and four other 
Midwestern states, has done a commendable job of fostering competition 
in our part of the country.
  Today there are more than 130 companies certified to compete in the 
Ameritech region, and the Company has interconnection agreements with 
60 of them. Additionally, the Company's competitors are serving more 
than 500,000 local lines by reselling service under their brand names. 
Ameritech is also bringing true cable competition to the Midwest. Its 
cable subsidiary, Ameritech New Media, has 65 franchises with 
communities in Ohio, Illinois and Michigan, and is now actively 
competing against incumbent providers in 40 of those communities 
offering enhanced cable TV service to more than 100,000 homes. In those 
communities where Ameritech New Media competes, incumbent providers 
have slashed their prices, offered customers free premium and pay per 
view channels, added more channels to existing service and guaranteed 
customers better service. This is precisely what we intended when we 
passed the Telecommunications Act.
  However, Mr. Speaker, in spite of their efforts, neither Ameritech 
nor any of the former Bell companies has managed to cross the 
regulatory threshold to enter the long distance market. I think I speak 
for many of my colleagues when I say that I am extremely disappointed 
that consumers across the country have yet to enjoy the full benefits 
of the Telecommunications Act. I continue to believe this is a good 
law, and I would urge the Federal Communications Commission to make it 
work. We now have a new chairman and three new commissioners at the FCC 
and I am impressed by their recent comments stressing the need to 
implement the Act. I encourage them in the strongest possible terms to 
implement the law and give consumers the choices they deserve.

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