[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 19 (Thursday, February 28, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E237-E238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         INTERNET FREEDOM AND BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT ACT OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. EARL POMEROY

                            of north dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 27, 2002

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1542) to 
     deregulate the Internet and high speed data services, and for 
     other purposes:

  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1542, 
the Internet Freedom and Broadband Deployment Act. As a member 
representing one of the most rural states in our nation, I believe that 
this bill will do nothing to spur broadband deployment in rural 
America, while destroying the ability of the FCC and state regulatory 
commissions to provide valuable consumer protections.
  The Bell companies say they are eager to deploy broadband in rural 
areas, but their actions speak louder than their words: for years, the 
Bells have sold off millions of lines in rural America. These companies 
have no commitment to rural America, and passing this bill will not 
change that. In fact, the Bells can easily evade the rural broadband 
development provisions of this bill simply by selling off additional 
rural exchanges. Rather than encouraging Bells to invest in rural 
America, this bill increases their incentives to accelerate their rural 
sell-off.
  Small carriers and local providers have long been the lifeblood of 
communications services in rural America, yet this bill allows the 
Bells to deny these companies access to their networks. The very small 
competitors which today provide outstanding communications services in 
rural North Dakota and throughout the country could be quickly put out 
of business by this bill. Thousands of jobs at these competitive 
carriers would be lost.

[[Page E238]]

  What's more, H.R. 1542 preempts states from regulating high-speed 
data service altogether. This provision would prohibit states and the 
FCC from providing basic consumer protections, such as restrictions on 
unsolicited email and child pornography. The Bell companies pay 
millions of dollars in fines each year for violating state and federal 
laws, yet H.R. 1542 would remove almost all oversight of their high-
speed activities, putting consumers at risk.
  Rather than guaranteeing rural broadband service to rural America, 
H.R. 1542 simply provides the Bells with a tool to destroy their 
smaller competitors and avoid state and federal regulatory agencies. 
This bill is bad for competition and bad for consumers. I urge my 
colleagues to vote no.

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