Stay Informed and Speak Up Against Changes in Rules that Undercut Your Community

Make sure your community doesn’t end up on the losing side of the deal.

Fair telecom reform means:

• No matter what the technology, everyone plays by the same rules.
  
  
• A level playing field for all, and no favoritism for any competitor.
  
  
• A simpler tax structure, with no unwarranted tax cuts.

Local governments are for telecom reform that encourages competition, competitive prices, better service, and advanced technologies for everyone.

Here’s how you can support fair telecom reform for your community:

          Stay informed

• Know what the current legislation is all about.
  Consider whether any pending legislation will dramatically change the rules for telecommunication providers. Will the Big Telecoms have to continue to serve everyone or will they pick and choose who gets service-- and who doesn’t? What are the implications for your community's franchising and taxing authority?  These issues MUST be considered whenever telecom legislation is introduced by federal and state legislators.
  
  
• Watch a short video on why service to all is an important issue to your community.

• Read up on the big issues in telecom reform. The telecommunications industry’s push for special tax treatment just might pay off – for the Big Telecoms, that is.

• Watch a short documentary. See what’s at stake for your community if legislation that undercuts local control passes.
  
  Act Now!

• Reach out to your representatives in Congress. Speak out against changes that let Big Telecom win while your community loses.
  
  

The truth is, local governments are for fair telecom competition

Local governments support telecom reform that opens the door to new technologies for residents and encourages fair competition in the video marketplace.

Local governments everywhere are working hard to bring about telecom reform that doesn’t undermine their ability to protect their citizens’ interests. Here’s why:

• Special tax treatment for the Big Telecoms could cost over 150,000 teachers, police officers and firefighters their jobs.

• If the Big Telecoms have their way, they’ll be free to pick and choose the areas they want to serve while bypassing others completely. Many residents won’t have access to the latest technologies.

• Local governments could lose their ability to enforce customer service and well-established consumer protection laws.