[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 22 (Tuesday, March 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         INTERNET FREEDOM AND BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT ACT OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    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:

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to the Tauzin-
Dingell Broadband Deployment Act.
  My State of Minnesota has been a pioneer in fostering competition in 
local telephone markets. In 1999, Minnesota implemented a ruling that 
required our local telephone companies to share not only its copper 
wires, but also upgraded lines with competitors. Following Minnesota's 
lead, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted this line-
sharing rule, in effect making it law nation-wide for all the surviving 
Bell companies.
  Tauzin-Dingell would eliminate this sensible approach that Minnesota 
initiated. By excluding competitors from the use of upgraded fiber 
lines, Tauzin-Dingell will create a new monopoly for the Bells. This 
would mean fewer choices and poorer service for consumers.
  We must not gut the market-opening provisions of the 1996 
Telecommunications Act before they have had a chance to take root! It 
is imperative that we maintain incentives for competition to ensure the 
best possible services for our constituents.
  Free and equal access to information is vital to the strength of our 
democracy. However, H.R. 1542 is simply not the answer. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in opposing H.R. 1542.