March 2000 PulseOnline: Headline News: Congressman Pickering Pleased with Success of the Telecom Act (Page 3 of 3)

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Q. Much is being done to break down trade barriers around the world and, as a result, the establishment of a global economy increasingly is being realized. What impact do you think this will have on the U.S. telecom industry?

One example would be the agreement reached with China on the WTO [World Trade Organization], which will provide -- especially in the telecom sector -- tremendous new opportunities for U.S. companies. Also, the explosion of the Internet in China and the wealth of information it brings will create a more open and democratic society in China and, hopefully, establish a peaceful trading partner, instead of a possible threat to our national interest.

Other global telecom trade opportunities are sprouting as we begin to see Europe and other regions take down the old barriers in telecommunications and technology. To be honest, this is another area where the 1996 act has played a positive role because many countries are now following the policy framework that we put in place with the act in 1996.

Q. When do you think the WTO/Permanent Normal Trade Relations issue will come up for a vote on the House floor?

China must first complete WTO negotiations with Europe. Once that is complete, a vote will take place probably sometime in May or June. In my view, the sooner the better.

Q. Another issue that is affecting our country and that TIA is working on with the U.S. Commerce Department is critical infrastructure protection or "cyberterrorism." How is the Commerce Committee going to address that issue?

Telecommunications is poised to provide enormous global economic promise and is set to reach people in once-closed countries. However, the other side of the information revolution is that new technologies and the increasing reliance on computer-based communications systems opens up new threats to our national security as well as our individual privacy. Those two issues will certainly be addressed by the Commerce Committee. Hopefully, we can find a way -- through encryption policies and other common-sense safeguards -- that we can realize the promised potential of technology while protecting our interests from terrorist threats.

Q. Would you like to add anything else?

The remarkable promise of telecommunications is reflected in the fact that my home state of Mississippi is the headquarters of such companies as MCI/WorldCom, Skytel, Tritel and Trilogy. Mississippi is seeing an explosion of entrepreneurs in the cellular and wireless markets, and our rural telephone companies are on the cutting edge of deploying digital networks and interactive video. Your association is critical to making this happen in Mississippi and I want to do what I can in the Commerce Committee and in Congress to ensure that you -- and the industry as a whole -- continue to enjoy the success you've enjoyed over the past few years.