Telecom Act at 20: Assessing the Rewrite

Feb 8 marks the 20th anniversary of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which updated the Communications Act of 1934 let cable into the phone business and phones into cable. A polling of some policymakers and watchers show their views on the impact of the principally deregulatory rule rewrite:

Former Rep Rick Boucher (D-VA), former chair, House Communications Subcommittee: “My involvement in formulating the ‘96 act began in 1988 when I joined with then Sen Al Gore (D-TN) in introducing legislation to allow telephone companies to offer cable TV service (multi-channel video distribution services) in their telephone service areas. My ‘birthday wish’ for the act is that Congress adopt much-needed legislation recognizing the digital and mobile era into which telecommunications has emerged. The 96 act was about analog services and to a large extent 'plain old telephone services.' These provisions will help to modernize the 96 act for the digital era.

Commissioner Michael O'Rielly of the Federal Communications Commission: "Today marks the 20th Anniversary of the signing into law of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. I vividly remember‎ the events leading up to that moment and recall the strong leadership of my then boss, House Commerce Committee Chairman Tom Bliley (R-VA). The signing represented so much promise of what could be and reflected found trust between legislators. It is a shame that many of the deals struck in the law were not actually honored and many provisions have since been abused beyond recognition by regulators, the courts and advocates. My wish would be for the Commission to focus on the future of communications, rather than trying to drag new innovations into old fights."