All Sides Gear Up For Re-Write Fight

Telecom Policy Report, Nov 24, 2004

Meanwhile, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who is relinquishing the Commerce Committee chairmanship, has long sought to protect consumers from price-gouging by large communications companies.

On the House side, key players to watch are House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) and ranking Democrat Rep. John Dingell of Michigan, who have championed Bell-friendly legislation in the past. Other powerbrokers include Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, and ranking Democrat Ed Markey of Massachusetts, a gadfly on communications issues.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner, Jr., (R-Wis.), wants to preserve the anti-trust laws governing communications conglomerates, and Rep. Gil Gutknecht (R-Minn.), who co-chairs the Congressional Rural Caucus Task Force on Telecommunications, will seek to protect the interests of rural consumers and carriers serving them, sources tell Telecom Policy Report.

Also in the mix are Sen. John Sununu (R-N.H.) and Rep. Chip Pickering Jr. (R-Miss.), vice chairman of the House Commerce Committee, sponsors of legislation this year that largely shelters VoIP from regulation. The measures sparked debate on whether VoIP is a telecommunications service or an information service, a critical distinction because, as a telecom offering, VoIP would face more regulation.

Despite being heavily outgunned in the lobbying arena, watchdogs plan to be actively involved in the debate, and they think they have the ears of powerful lawmakers. Montezemolo of Consumers Union says her group has been reaching out to moderate Republicans, such as Sen. McCain, and her group shares many concerns with such rural lawmakers as Sen. Stevens.

Last month, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce released a study showing substantial gains to the economy if the telecom laws are updated. "Telecommunications is the central nervous system of our economy," said Chamber President and CEO Thomas Donohue in a statement. "The current telecom law is hopelessly flawed, stifles investment and prevents the creation of American jobs."

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