[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 143 (Sunday, October 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE DIGITAL DATA SERVICES ACT OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. W.J. (BILLY) TAUZIN

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Saturday, October 10, 1998

  Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Speaker, I am today introducing legislation to assure 
that a duly licensed low powered television station may utilize its 
authorized spectrum to offer to the public digital-based interactive 
broadcast services, and wireless Internet access, one or two way, 
portable or fixed, or connection to the Internet via the Interactive 
Video and Data Service (IVDS).
  The Federal Communications Commission demonstrated sound judgment in 
granting limited ``experimental authority'' to such stations to develop 
alternative approaches for offering to the general public digital data 
services, including wireless Internet access at reasonable prices, and 
I want to make their authority permanent.
  In its short period of existence, the Internet has grown to become an 
important medium for the conduct of commerce, the education of our 
children, and the maintenance of the informed and enlightened 
electorate necessary to a free society. Given its status in the United 
States as a substantial educational, promotional, commercial and 
distribution channel, the Internet is one of the engines which is 
driving the United States economy to record levels of productivity and 
employment.
  One of the shortcomings of the technology is that it is wire bound. 
Through the efforts of the Federal Communications Commission and 
private entrepreneurs, however, that shortcoming is being ameliorated. 
There are currently a number of low-power television stations in the 
United States which have obtained experimental authority to provide 
Internet service because this service is an innovative use of the 
spectrum which will benefit the public.
  It is the policy of the United States, as evidenced by the provisions 
of Sections 7, 10, 11, and 273 of the Communications Act of 1934, as 
amended, to remove barriers to entry and to foster innovation in the 
telecommunications marketplace. The legislation I am introducing today 
is designed to ensure that these low power stations offering Internet 
service may continue to provide the public with high speed wireless 
Internet access.
  Recent history of telecommunications aptly illustrates the demand and 
utility of wireless access. Wireless telecommunications has been a 
substantial enhancement to the United States economy. Wireless Internet 
access promises even greater but similar economic benefits. Use of low-
power television stations for wireless Internet access would facilitate 
the provision of the Internet to schools and public libraries without 
the necessity for expensive rewiring of those facilities. For these 
reasons, there is substantial public interest benefit in encouraging 
the provision of wireless Internet access.
  I anticipate that the subcommittee on telecommunications will take 
this matter up early next year. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
supporting this effort.

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