[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 11 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E159]]



                     TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1996

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 12, 1998

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, two years ago this week, after literally 
years of intense and contentious debate, the President signed into law 
the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Passage of this landmark 
legislation represented the largest overhaul of our nation's 
communications laws in more than 60 years. The Telecommunications Act 
was intended to remove long standing monopoly protections to allow 
customers to get long-distance service from their local phone company 
or local phone service from their long-distance or cable company. This 
historic new law would also permit customers to get many communications 
services--local and long distance phone service, cable and cellular 
service--from one company on one bill.
  Many in Congress hailed this new law as the ``greatest jobs bill of 
the decade.'' The President praised the law saying ``customers will 
receive the benefits of lower prices, better quality and greater 
choices in their telephone and cable service, and they will continue to 
benefit from a diversity of voices and viewpoints in radio, television 
and the print media.''
  Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, it's two years later and consumers have 
yet to see most of the benefits. What they do see are mergers and 
lawsuits filed by frustrated would-be competitors. Thus far the Federal 
Communications Commission has rejected bids by three of the former Bell 
Companies seeking to enter the long-distance market. In many areas, 
cable rates have risen and potential new competitors struggle to secure 
the necessary programming which is critical to their survival and 
growth.
  The FCC has a new Chairman and three new commissioners. While I am 
encouraged by their public statements pledging to move forward with 
implementation of the Act--I am disappointed in the fact that little, 
if any, progress has been made. There is absolutely no reason why 
Americans can't start realizing the benefits of the Telecommunications 
Act now.

                          ____________________