INTERNET FREEDOM AND BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT ACT OF 2001 -- (Extensions of Remarks - February 28, 2002)

[Page: E237]
---

SPEECH OF HON. EARL POMEROY

OF NORTH DAKOTA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, February 27, 2002

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. POMEROY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1542, the Internet Freedom and Broadband Deployment Act. As a member representing one of the most rural states in our nation, I believe that this bill will do nothing to spur broadband deployment in rural America, while destroying the ability of the FCC and state regulatory commissions to provide valuable consumer protections.

The Bell companies say they are eager to deploy broadband in rural areas, but their actions speak louder than their words: for years, the Bells have sold off millions of lines in rural America. These companies have no commitment to rural America, and passing this bill will not change that. In fact, the Bells can easily evade the rural broadband development provisions of this bill simply by selling off additional rural exchanges. Rather than encouraging Bells to invest in rural America, this bill increases their incentives to accelerate their rural sell-off.

Small carriers and local providers have long been the lifeblood of communications services in rural America, yet this bill allows the Bells to deny these companies access to their networks. The very small competitors which today provide outstanding communications services in rural North Dakota and throughout the country could be quickly put out of business by this bill. Thousands of jobs at these competitive carriers would be lost.
```
[Page: E238]
```

What's more, H.R. 1542 preempts states from regulating high-speed data service altogether. This provision would prohibit states and the FCC from providing basic consumer protections, such as restrictions on unsolicited email and child pornography. The Bell companies pay millions of dollars in fines each year for violating state and federal laws, yet H.R. 1542 would remove almost all oversight of their high-speed activities, putting consumers at risk.

Rather than guaranteeing rural broadband service to rural America, H.R. 1542 simply provides the Bells with a tool to destroy their smaller competitors and avoid state and federal regulatory agencies. This bill is bad for competition and bad for consumers. I urge my colleagues to vote no.
END