[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 73 (Friday, June 9, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMUNICATIONS OPPORTUNITY, PROMOTION, AND ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 8, 2006

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5252) to 
     promote the deployment of broadband networks and services:

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 5252, 
the Communications Opportunity, Promotion, & Enhancement (COPE) Act of 
2006.
  The technology in wireless and traditional wire-line capabilities has 
far outpaced our current telecommunications laws, and the COPE Act 
serves to update these regulations. This bill provides for the 
streamlining of video franchising at the federal level, to speed up the 
process of granting new franchises into these markets, providing badly 
needed competition in the marketplace, and lowering prices for 
telecommunications in America.
  This legislation updates the rules ensuring that satellite providers 
are treated equally to local cable franchises; and addresses new 
technologies that did not exist when the last telecommunications laws 
were written, such as ensuring that voice-over internet providers 
provide 911 emergency services to their customers. The COPE Act also 
contains build-out requirements for these new franchises, as well as 
protecting our rural infrastructure by ensuring that these providers 
contribute fairly to the Universal Service Fund.
  In 2005, the Federal Communications Commission released four network 
neutrality principles: (1) consumers are entitled to access the lawful 
Internet content of their choice; (2) consumers are entitled to run 
applications and services of their choice; (3) consumers are entitled 
to connect their choices of safe legal devices; and (4) consumers are 
entitled to competition among networks, applications, services, and 
content providers. H.R. 5252 enacts these neutrality principles into 
law, sending a strong non-discrimination message to Internet providers. 
North Carolina's economy has prospered from open Internet access, and 
H.R. 5252 ensures that we continue to enjoy that opportunity.
  Mr. Chairman, no legislation is perfect. I would like to have seen 
stronger language regarding build-out requirements than was included in 
the bill, and I supported amendments that gave local authorities even 
greater oversight than the original language provided.
  However, this legislation represents a significant step forward in 
the information age. I urge support of H.R. 5252.

                          ____________________