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| Association
of Communications Enterprises |
1401 K
Street, N.W. Suite 600 Washington, D.C. 20005 |
Phone:(202)
835-9898 Fax:(202) 835-9893 | |
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Contact: Celeste Powers Director of Public Affairs (202) 835-9898, ext.3015 cpowers@ascent.org | ||
| Telecommunications Resellers
Association Statement on Tauzin/Dingell Legislation |
| (Washington, DC, July 1, 1999) On behalf of the more than 700 members of TRA, most of whom are small carriers and resellers, we are very troubled by the legislation being proposed by Representatives Tauzin and Dingell. The balanced approach laid out by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 has opened the door to hundreds of small businesses to compete in the local telecommunications marketplace. Under the resale and unbundling provisions of the Act, these businesses have been able to significantly contribute to our robust economy and have provided telecommunications choice, value and innovation to consumers. This legislation, exempting the RBOCs from these provisions, would deny small carriers the opportunity to compete in the provision of broadband services and deprive consumers of a vigorously competitive marketplace. Three years of RBOC litigation and non-compliance with the Act is what is standing in the way of the relief this legislation seeks to provide. We strongly encourage Congress not to reward anti-competitive behavior with a rewrite of the ground rules under which the incumbent LECs must operate. |
 Association of Communications Enterprises (ASCENT) - http://www.ascent.org/ - is the leading trade organization of entrepreneurial communications firms and their suppliers. ASCENT member companies provide a full range of communications services utilizing narrowband, broadband and wireless technologies. They share a common desire for new business opportunities, technological innovation, managerial excellence, and adherence to high ethical standards. ASCENT's mission is to open all communications markets to full and fair competition and to help member companies design and implement successful business plans. Formerly the Telecommunications Resellers Association (TRA), ASCENT was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. |