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The House in committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1542) to deregulate the Internet and high speed data services, and for other purposes:

• Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1542, the Internet Freedom and Broadband Deployment Act of 2001. This important and timely legislation will expedite the roll-out of high-speed Internet access across our nation, foster competition, and bridge the digital divide that separates neighbors, communities, and regions from the benefits of the information age.

• Opponents of this bill argue that it will unfairly favor certain technologies within the broadband industry. On the contrary, H.R. 1542 is designed to eliminate the unfair conditions which currently exist within the industry by offering consumers an expanded and guaranteed alternative to cable and satellite-based broadband technology. This legislation simply creates a level playing field for the different enterprises which comprise the broadband industry to freely and competitively offer their technologies to the American people.

• Moreover, opponents wrongly assert that by eliminating the prohibitive regulations that currently stifle roll-out of DSL broadband technology, this legislation will destroy local service providers who enjoy reduced rates and access to existing technology as set forth in the 1996 Telecommunications Act. On the contrary, H.R. 1542 does not prevent local exchange carriers from accessing any existing or future customer using the telephone network. However, to ensure local competitors are fairly and adequately protected from the change in the 1996 law, I fully support the Buyer-Towns Amendment. This amendment further protects the local competitor by guaranteeing their continued right to access high-speed data services over fiber lines as they presently do.

• It is evident that H.R. 1542 is good for America. Our future competitiveness in the global market depends on our access to and utilization of data and information systems, which begins at the individual level which this legislation addresses.

• Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to vote yes for expanded access by voting yes to this bill.

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