[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E398]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCING H.R. 4012 THE RURAL WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENHANCEMENT 
                              ACT OF 2002

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                           HON. BARBARA CUBIN

                               of wyoming

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 20, 2002

  Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, rural America. We often hear of the unique 
challenges that face those of us who live and work in the unspoiled 
expanses of this great nation. As someone who represents the least 
populated state in the country, let me say that we wouldn't trade those 
challenges for all the urban conveniences in the world.
  There are, however, basic needs deemed necessary to conduct our 
everyday lives whether you live in Brooklyn, New York or Basin, 
Wyoming. One of those essential, and obtainable, requirements is access 
to modern and efficient telecommunications. Telecommunications is an 
important component by which we can run small businesses, visit distant 
relatives, or just order a pizza.
  During the last two Congresses, I have been successful advocating for 
wholesale changes in the way the Federal Communications Commission 
(FCC) regulates small and mid-size telecommunications companies. Those 
bills have passed the House but languish in the Senate.
  The basic tenet of the bills is to ensure that the FCC writes 
separate regulations for companies that are smaller than their 
oftentimes much larger competitors. Common sense shouid tell us that 
identical regulations imposed on telecommunications companies 
regardless of size translates into the over-regulation of the small and 
mid-size companies. Although the FCC initially fought these changes, I 
am pleased to report that most of the changes in the bills have 
ultimately been incorporated by the FCC.
  This leads me to the introduction of the bill I bring before the 
House today. The ``Rural Wireless Telecommunications Enhancement Act of 
2002'' will bring about significant changes by which the FCC regulates 
small wireless telecommunications companies.
  If you've been fortunate enough to travel through the state of 
Wyoming, you may have been surprised to find that your wireless phone 
did not work or that it received marginal coverage at best. One way in 
which we can address the comprehensive development of wireless 
telecommunications infrastructure in rural areas is to stop the FCC 
from burdening small wireless companies with onerous, one-size-fits-all 
rules meant to regulate the largest wireless carriers. That way small 
wireless companies can put their resources into developing new 
technologies and deploying their infrastructure instead of spending it 
on high-priced Washington lobbyists and regulatory attorneys.
  The goal of the ``Rural Wireless Telecommunications Enhancement Act'' 
is simple: to give rural wireless customers better service and more 
choices.

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