BROADBAND ACCESS

It is virtually impossible to underestimate the impact of the Internet on our daily lives. In a matter of seconds, I can check the results of the Arcadia High School basketball game and listen to the latest news from National Public Radio. According to a June 2001 Gartner Dataquest survey, 61% of U.S. households actively use the Internet. Most of these users currently utilize a personal computer and their home telephone line to connect to the World Wide Web. Multiple telecommunications companies are working on ways to improve upon this system, making the Internet even faster and more convenient for the average household. High speed Internet access or broadband is one area of great promise. With broadband, I can download large files or video documents in a matter of seconds. The current challenge we face is how to bring this new technology to households across our nation at an affordable rate.

The House of Representatives recently discussed the issue of broadband when we debated H.R. 1542, the Internet Freedom and Broadband Deployment Act. This legislation prohibits states or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from regulating high speed data services. In addition, H.R. 1542 eases service restrictions placed on the Bell operating companies in the 1996 Telecommunications Act. After a lengthy debate, this legislation passed in the House of Representatives on February 27. However, I voted against H.R. 1542. I am very hesitant to dramatically alter the rules established under the 1996 Telecommunications Act. Although an overwhelming majority of Americans have access to broadband, only one in eight households choose to purchase this technology. I believe that additional competition will help bring down prices and improve services. I am concerned that some aspects of H.R. 1542 may further distance us from our goal of expanding Internet access.

It is clear that rapid expansion of the high-tech industry has contributed significantly to the growth of our nation. In fact, the technology sector has accounted for a full one-third of our economic growth since 1995. The Internet is an extraordinary tool for the efficient exchange and dissemination of information around the world. It can help improve education, government functions, entertainment, commerce and a range of services that Americans enjoy in their everyday lives. The long-term goal of building a truly competitive market in telephone services is good for the economy as well as consumers. I also strongly support the right of businesses to reap the benefits of their investment and innovations. I will continue to encourage the deployment of broadband and will work with my colleagues and federal officials to ensure consumer access to broadband at competitive prices.

For additional information on broadband, you may also wish to visit the FCC’s website.