Copyright 2000 Federal News Service, Inc.
Federal News Service
May 25, 2000, Thursday
SECTION: PREPARED TESTIMONY
LENGTH: 400 words
HEADLINE:
PREPARED TESTIMONY OF TOM BLILEY
BEFORE THE
HOUSE COMMERCE COMMITTEE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, TRADE AND CONSUMER
PROTECTION SUBCOMMITTEE
SUBJECT - BROADBAND TECHNOLOGIES
BODY:
Washington (May 25) - Commerce Chairman
Tom Bliley (R-VA) is scheduled to deliver the following remarks today at a
Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection Oversight
Hearing on Broadband Technologies:
"This morning, the Subcommittee
resumes its inquiry into the state of broadband deployment.
Thus far, we've learned quite a bit.
"More than anything, we've learned
that the marketplace is responding to consumer demand. "We know, for example,
that DSL technologies are rolling out faster than ever. Analysts project that
over 13 million homes will be subscribing to DSL technologies by 2005... and
that revenues will surpass $11 billion by then, as well.
"Even the local telephone companies are prospering in this rapidly
growing market. Their revenue from data services grew between 32 percent and 41
percent in the first quarter of 2000.
"That's impressive, indeed. But it
isn't surprising. Contrary to what some say, there is nothing under current law
that precludes local telephone companies from participating in the residential
broadband market.
"Meanwhile, we've also learned that the cable industry
is responding as well. 2.5 million homes now use high-speed cable modems to
access the Internet. That number is projected to grow to 14 million by 2005
"And wireless and satellite providers are nipping at the heels of the
cable and telephone giants. They have broadband dreams of their own.., one that
frees the consumer of wires and cables."Who will win this race?
"Nobody
knows... and frankly, I don't care. As long as the rules of the road are fair
and predictable -which they are today -- I intend to simply watch... and let
consumers and the marketplace sort this one out.
"Yet some still think
consumers and industry need the help of Congress at this point. This puzzles
me... because I can't seem to see the "problem" for which others have a
"solution."
"These current and projected statistics impress me... they
convince me that Congress got it right in the 1996 Act. Congressional action at
this point in time will, if anything, force investors to pull back... and bring
deployment to its knees.
"Like that old saying: if it ain't broke, don't
fix it. I hope that today we'll learn more about precisely what the supposed
problem is that requires a governmental solution.
"I yield back the
balance of my time, Mr. Chairman."
END
LOAD-DATE: May 27, 2000 
