What’s The Deal With Telecom Reform?

Nobody has to tell you that technological advances in telecommunications are rapidly changing the way Americans live and work. Your local government is working hard to make sure everyone in your community gets all of the benefits this new age of technology has to offer.

Local governments can’t and won’t support legislation or regulatory efforts that undermine their communities.

A new age in communications.

Local governments support telecom reform that encourages fair competition, promotes access, and opens the door to new technologies for all their residents.

But local governments can’t and won’t support legislation or regulatory efforts that limit their local franchising authority and hurts their ability to protect public property.

Local governments must retain the power to enforce consumer protection laws and regulations, and make sure all residents have access to all services.

The Big Telecoms don’t want to be held accountable to your local government.

Every community across the country is different. Each one has its own unique needs and interests. It just makes sense for a local government, with the public's input, to define how a telecommunications company does business in its community.

But the Big Telecoms don’t want to be accountable to locals. Right now, they are trying to force a one-size-fits-all way for how video cable operators should enter and operate in communities across America!

The truth is, unfair telecom reform hurts your community.

The Big Telecoms want to take over local control of telecommunications issues, and they want communities to foot the bill. According to the Congressional Budget Office, legislation from 2006 would have cost local governments between $100-400 million a year for FIVE YEARS!

Franchising rules adopted by the FCC virtually strip a local government’s authority to protect its citizens from the Big Telecoms.

The FCC rules make it impossible for local officials to guarantee that every resident has access to the telecommunications services that keep us all connected. Local governments must maintain the power to:

• Manage and receive fair compensation for the private use of public rights-of-way, such as roads and sidewalks.

• Require and insist on reasonable build-out requirements to guarantee access for all residents.
  
  
• Enforce customer service and consumer protection standards. After all, it’s the job of a local government to make sure all companies do business in its community, safely and efficiently.