USF Key To Franchise Passage, Says Ensign

USF KEY TO FRANCHISE PASSAGE, SAYS ENSIGN
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Sen John Ensign (R-NV) said that the video franchise reform bill probably won't be able to pass unless expansion of the universal service fund (USF) remains in the bill. Its passage in any form is increasingly problematic, but he is still hopeful that constituents will contact their senators and push for the bill, which he says will boost price and service competition to cable, as well as Internet speeds and services. Sen Ensign cited the universal service provision's support from Senate Commerce Committee Co-chairmen Ted Stevens and Daniel Inouye, as well as Democrat support for the provision, which would expand payments into the fund, which underwrites communications service to rural, underserved, and expensive-to-serve areas. Sen Ensign noted that the Senate bill had a number of "extraneous" provisions. But rather than suggesting paring them back to more closely resemble the already-passed House version, he said they were what would help get the bill to the floor if it makes it there, since they could pick up some votes from the individual legislators championing them. If the bill does not pass, some Republicans hope to use it as a campaign issue. Sen Ensign pointed out that the bill also includes improvement to first responder communications and that Democrats would then have to explain why they blocked that. Calling tough network neutrality provisions unnecessary and even harmful, Sen Ensign said they did not belong in the bill. He said the bill already protects the next garage-to-computer giant success story, but does not protect the business positions of now-large companies like Google, Yahoo!, and Microsoft, who he says want to do so by regulating the Internet.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6359683?display=Breaking+News

** Text of the bill, passed by the Senate Commerce Committee on June 28, was finally released late last week. See http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=node/2173 **