Wired?
Article Abstract:
Congress should reform the outdated and anti-competitive regulations afflicting the telecommunications industry. The current laws regulating the telecommunications industry were developed 60 years ago, when the telephone companies operated as local monopolies. These regulations and later court rulings have created a maze of rules that are no longer relevant to today's situation. Technology is blurring the line between local telephone companies, cable companies and long distance companies. Congress considered a reform bill in 1994 sponsored by Sen Fritz Hollings, which added more than 50 new FCC regulations. The industry wants reform, because it is being held back by federal bureaucrats. New proposals include Sen Dole's proposal to allow open competition after a certain date. Other government officials, including Vice President Al Gore believe that the telecommunications industry does not need freer markets.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1995
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Telecommunications bill looks fashioned to fit the tastes of a few individual corporations
Article Abstract:
The massive telecommunications bill now in the House-Senate conference committee is designed to deregulate a broad range of telephone, cable TV and broadcasting industries. However, little-known provisions tucked into the huge bill seem to specifically benefit individual companies. The conference committee is having trouble hammering out the final provisions of the bill, and Pres Clinton has sent signals that he may veto it. Individual companies have successfully used their lobbying clout to include language that would benefit them. Ameritech Corp, for example, has been able to include a provision that would allow it to continue purchasing alarm monitoring companies, while other Baby Bells would be excluded. Other individual winners include Trinity Broadcasting Network, which will be able to avoid losing some of its TV stations.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1995
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Wave of telecom mergers puts regulators to the test: Where will Washington finally draw the line on consolidation?
Article Abstract:
The 1996 Telecommunications Act is continuing to engender consolidations instead of the competition that lawmakers had originally hoped for. During the week of Jul 27, 1998, deals were announced between GTE Corp and Bell Atlantic Corp, and between AT&T Corp and British Telecommunications PLC. Meanwhile, competition is not increasing in local markets and cable TV rates are rising. Consumer advocates are voicing concern, but Congress, wary of upcoming elections, is reacting passively, and the FCC is considering the latest merger proposals but has so far not spoken out strongly. According to Sen John McCain (R-AZ), who heads the Senate Commerce Committee, the only certainty is that four or five global telecommunications comanies will emerge.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1998
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