Powell Says Don't Rewrite It

Outgoing FCC Chairman Michael Powell said today in Colorado that the "broken" Telecom Act of 1996 shouldn't be completely overhauled.  Instead, he said, according to WirelessWeek, the act just needs to be tweaked to include an "IP statute that will take the industry forward".  Powell is worried that, if rewritten, the legislation will get bogged down for many years.

The WirelessWeek piece continues:

"If an IP statute isn't enacted, Powell suggested it could dampen a renewed interest in telecom from Wall Street. An IP statute would make it more attractive for incumbents to get into such things as VoIP services."

Some of the key people who write legislation said last week at the Congressional Internet Caucus that the Telecom Act needs to be completely revised, including the influential Senator Conrad Burns (R-Mont.). 

However, Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee is taking the middle ground for now.  He's quoted by GCN saying that he is:

"'not exactly sure whether we should rewrite or amend the 1996 act'.... He said he does believe 'all communications technologies—wireline or wireless—should be treated equally. We must not have multiple separate sets of regulations' for new services such as WiMax and IP video. Congress should foster more competition and innovation, not try to 'put every new technology in its own regulatory box. I do believe we will act in this [109th] Congress.'"

Comments

[Jake]

Thank you for visiting this small truitbe to our friend Phillip Lloyd Powell. Phill was truly a master and the fond memories of his life and work will stay with us forever. Please enjoy these images of Phill's life and work and feel free to share your memories.A special thanks goes out to the friends, family and associates of Phill who captured the images above.