[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 29, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S967]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       THE FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1996 TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT

 Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, 4 years ago, Congress passed a 
landmark measure, the Telecommunications Act of 1996. This bill was 
passed in an attempt to break down some of the regulatory barriers 
among various communications sectors. It is one of the sparks that 
ignited our booming new economy in this information technology age.
  In New York especially, the 1996 law has created competition in local 
telephone networks, areas previously dominated by monopolies. After an 
18 month marathon of hard work by the New York State Public Service 
Commission and a thorough review by the Federal Communications 
Commission, Bell Atlantic became the first Bell operating company in 
the country to offer long distance service. Already, nearly one million 
New Yorkers have exercised their right to choose a new local telephone 
company. Creative new packages of local/long distance and ``all 
distance'' telecom services are being offered by many different 
carriers. To date, there are more than 350 competitive local exchange 
carriers, CLECs, in the country that are able to provide local 
telephone service, furthering consumer choice options.
  Competition and innovation is working as we intended with the Telecom 
Act, and our experience in New York is proof positive.
  I commend Bell Atlantic, the newer carriers on the scene, and our own 
New York State Public Service Commission Chairman Maureen Helmer and 
her team for their hard work in bringing the benefits of competition to 
all New Yorkers. It has been well worth the effort, and provides a 
valuable road map to competition for other States.

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