[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 64 (Thursday, May 1, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          REGULATORY CERTAINTY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MARY BONO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2003

  Mrs. BONO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on an issue of critical 
importance to our economy.
  Throughout the broadband debate over the past two years, we have all 
heard from carriers of all shapes and sizes. They have very different 
business plans and different opinions on the way competition should 
proceed. The one common message from all of these disparate companies, 
however, is a strong and urgent call for regulatory certainty. 
Individual investors, Wall Street analysts and companies alike all 
demand it.
  I fear that the recent FCC action on the Triennial Review threatens 
to exponentially increase regulatory uncertainty for the 
telecommunications sector. I fear lawsuits all across the country that 
will drag out resolution of these important issues for many years to 
come. Our world of digital packets of information traveling at the 
speed of light knows no geographic boundaries. However the resulting 
state-by-state patchwork of burdensome regulations threatens to pose 
yet another obstacle to getting reasonably priced broadband to our 
constituents.
  The old adage is true, you can't make everyone happy, all of the 
time. But if we level the playing field and let the markets work, the 
smart people in these companies can at least develop business plans and 
investors can judge their strategy on the merits. These companies need 
some clear direction so they can plan their futures, adjust, adapt and 
deliver for their shareholders and consumers.
  Just ten short years ago we watched as the telecommunications sector 
drove the greatest economic expansion in the history of the world. The 
American people that are suffering through this depressed economy 
demand leadership. We must provide certainty and stability to the 
telecommunications sector so that our markets can work and drive our 
economy to greatness once again.

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