Warm reception for U.S. telecom bill

Industry reaction to the Digital Communications Act introduced in Congress this week has been enthusiastic.

BellSouth issued a statement Friday praising the legislation introduced by Sen. James DeMint, R-S.C., as a measure that supports a strong role for market forces and competition.

"We applaud Sen. DeMint on the introduction of this forward looking legislation that is designed to assure that market forces and competition replace the outdated regulatory forces that continue to hold our industry back," said BellSouth Vice President Herschel Abbott. "We are particularly pleased with the bill's focus on further clarifying the role that state commissions should play in regulating the industry."

DeMint's bill, which was unveiled Thursday, is aimed primarily at streamlining telecom regulations. It includes reforms to the Universal Service Program, phasing out of cable television franchises over four years and regulating all communications services in equal fashion regardless of whether they are delivered by wireless or wire.

Copyright 2005 by United Press International