Duane Ackerman on Importance of High-Speed Data Technologies

For Immediate Release:

February 17, 1999

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- BellSouth Chairman and CEO Duane Ackerman today enlisted the aid of federal and state regulators and other industry leaders in introducing the general public to the importance of the debate over how quickly or how slowly ordinary citizens will benefit from high-speed data technologies.

Among the examples Ackerman used of tangible benefits for the public is the story of Willow CSN, a Florida company, which uses BellSouth networks and services to provide jobs for handicapped people, retirees and others who cannot routinely or easily get out of the house to work. Ackerman made the remarks before the Florida Telecommunications Policy Symposium Wednesday.

"Willow 'brokers' a flexible work force of independent work-at-home contractors for large companies with call centers, including the Home Shopping Network, Lens Express and TicketMaster. These 'cyber-agents' can be on call 24-hours-a-day to provide assistance during peak hour or when one of these companies is flooded with unexpected calls." The orders they take are, after all, "data," Ackerman noted.

Doctors in large medical centers can remotely monitor hearts of infants (data) in a rural hospital where no specialist is on staff. Expert radiologists can instantly read X-rays (data) of patients in another country -- patients that otherwise might wait hours or days to get the results of their tests.

Although "data is the story," Ackerman said, we need a better word than 'data." When most people hear the word 'data,' they probably won't want to hear the story.

"Lacking a clear view among the general public of the larger benefits of data deployment, it's difficult to generate any sense of urgency in the public -- or even among policy makers," he said.

In the debate over the implementation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, "you don't get a sense of all this potential," Ackerman told the telecom industry leaders. He asked them to consider business realities that will determine whether advanced technologies, like high-speed phone lines are installed in more places sooner rather than later.

"What this means for policy makers is that proposed legislation and rules and regulations must be weighed against how they will affect the business case," Ackerman said. "Every rule and regulation has the potential to encourage or discourage investment."

Regulations that keep BellSouth from recovering the cost of rolling out high-speed lines in rural areas will slow the deployment. The rules that prohibit BellSouth from offering long-distance services is another impediment to investment in rural areas. "As bars to investment, these are bars to bringing the new tools and powers of communication to rural areas," Ackerman told the group.

The powers and opportunities of high-speed internet connections are immense. "And, to the extent that the scope of these powers and opportunities are not recognized, that is an obstacle to deploying advanced technology in the network."

"It's my hope that in the next few months we can break the logjam on the Telecom Act, and begin opening up these opportunities for more people and places," Ackerman concluded.

The Florida Telecommunications Policy Symposium is organized by the College of Communications, Florida State University; Florida Public Service Commission; Public Utility Research Center, University of Florida; Florida House Committee on Utilities and Communications; and the Florida Senate Committee on Regulated Industries.

BellSouth is a $23 billion communications services company. It provides telecommunications, wireless communications, cable and digital TV, directory advertising and publishing, and Internet and data services to nearly 34 million customers in 19 countries worldwide.

For more information, contact:

John Schneidawind 202-463-4183 Spero Canton (305)347-5455 (800)946-4645 #2466249 (305)542-1794

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Click here to find the latest on BellSouth Application to FCC to Offer Long-Distance Service in Georgia and Louisiana.

NOTE: For more information about BellSouth, visit the BellSouth Web page at http://www.bellsouth.com/. Also, BellSouth news releases dating back one year are available by fax at no charge by calling 1-800-758-5804, ext. 095650 or write: for Atlanta releases 1155 Peachtree St., N.E.; Atlanta, Ga. 30309-3610 and for DC releases; 1133 21st St., N.W.; Suite 900; Washington, D.C. 20036.

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