[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 77 (Thursday, May 22, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1050]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THE FCC AND THE TRIENNIAL REVIEW

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARTIN FROST

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 2003

  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, it has been over 3 months since the FCC 
completed their Triennial Review and voted on new rules for the 
telecommunications industry, the most significant change for that 
industry since the adoption of the 1996 Telecommunications Act. Yet, 
the FCC has still not issued the details.
  This is a shame. So long as the FCC delays, uncertainty will reign in 
the telecommunications sector. For one whole quarter now, investment 
and growth in the sector have been stalled.
  Mr. Speaker, the economy remains weak, showing no real signs of 
recovery, and numerous companies continue to lay off their employees. 
The current recession has been hard on workers. Telecommunications 
companies are set to invest billions of dollars in network 
infrastructure--investment that will help the weak economy and create 
and preserve jobs--but the current regulatory environment restricts 
growth and investment in the telecom sector.
  The FCC needs to act quickly and issue a ruling to help the 
telecommunications industry grow their networks, and help get America 
back to work.

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