BellSouth Endorses Internet Freedom And Broadband Deployment Act Of 1999

For Immediate Release:

July 1, 1999

BACKGROUND: House Telecommunications Subcommittee Chairman "Billy" Tauzin of Louisiana and Ranking Full Committee Member John Dingell of Michigan have introduced "The Internet Freedom and Broadband Deployment Act of 1999," which would speed development of advanced broadband networks by limiting the federal government's ability to regulate the Internet. In particular, the legislation would prohibit both FCC and state regulation of high-speed data services. For example, it would amend Sect. 251 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 so that the obligations of resale and unbundled access that apply to voice services would not apply to any high-speed data services offered by incumbent local telephone companies. The bill would also amend Sect. 271 of the Act to add Internet services and high-speed data connections to the list of services a regional Bell company can offer as incidental long-distance without prior FCC approval.

The following statement on the legislation should be attributed to David J. Markey, BellSouth vice president of governmental affairs:

"This bill would give consumers a meaningful choice of high-speed Internet access providers by finally putting the local telephone industry on an equal footing with the nation's cable giants, many of which will soon be controlled by AT&T.

"What most Americans want from their Internet providers is speed - faster connections to the World Wide Web. Cable companies are free to provide an answer to this need without federal regulation. Telephone companies are not. The regulations being imposed on local telephone companies will result in more costs and fewer customers served. There is no good public policy reason to regulate the advanced services of local telephone networks under these competitive circumstances.

"We commend Reps. Tauzin and Dingell and their original co-sponsors for introducing this major piece of legislation, which BellSouth heartily supports. Let's start the broadband race to the home in a way that lets consumers, not the government, pick the winners."

For more information, contact:

John Schneidawind (202) 463-4183

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. 2003.

A list of BellSouth Media Relations Contacts is available in the Corporate Information Center.

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.

A list of BellSouth Media Relations Contacts is available in the Corporate Information Center.

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