WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- At a press conference today in
Washington, CompTel President H. Russell Frisby, Jr. had strong words for
those claiming that there is a deal in the works between competitive local
exchange carriers (CLECs) and key members of the House of Representatives on
the proposed Tauzin-Dingell bill (HR 1542). The bill is likely to come to a
floor vote in the next few weeks.
"This was one of the toughest years in the history of the competitive
telecommunications industry," said Frisby. "We fought hard and have lost
companies that tried to prove the Telecommunications Act works and that
consumers deserve lower prices and better service. We're not about to let them
down and cut a deal," stated Frisby.
In addition to briefing reporters on the post-recess status of the Tauzin-
Dingell legislation, CompTel also released a paper today outlining the key
policy principles for its members at this critical time in the development of
competitive telecommunications and the Internet. Among them:
-- The Telecommunications Act of 1996 has ushered in more investment and
more innovation than any other sector of this country's economy, ever.
-- Gaining access to the Regional Bell Operating Companies' (RBOCs')
inherited network is essential for competition to succeed, not only in
the local market, but in all adjacent markets, such as long distance,
high-speed access, networking, and the Internet itself.
-- The real story is that the majority of competitors have been crippled
by the simple fact that the RBOC monopolies have prevented them from
reaching customers. The rest of the telecom supply chain is crumbling
behind them. According to recent FCC reports, 5 1/2 years after the
Act, the incumbent local exchange companies still control over 92% of
America's local phone lines.
-- Rather than continue to rely exclusively on regulation to open the
local exchange network to multiple providers, the only true and
effective solution is to adopt a corporate structure that realigns the
incumbent's commercial incentives to achieve, rather than frustrate,
access to the local network.
"All of our collective and well-intentioned efforts have just not been
enough to change the fundamental reality that a monopoly will always behave
like a monopoly unless it is incented to do otherwise. And as we all know, the
only incentive that works is the bottom line," said Frisby.
CompTel pledged its firm commitment to defeat Tauzin-Dingell bill this
year, and continue to lead the way for the industry, championing the
competitive principles outlined in the paper.
Concluded Frisby, "People are starting to realize that the RBOCs tell
Congress one story, and the rest of America another. Telecommunications is now
a hot topic in Congress, and there is momentum building towards real solutions
like structural separation and enforcement. The competitive industry has
worked hard to be heard in Congress, we will not settle for less than the
defeat of Tauzin-Dingell and the full enforcement of the Telecommunications
Act."
Based in Washington, DC, CompTel (Competitive Telecommunications
Association) is the premier trade association representing the interests of
the competitive communications industry. The association serves U.S. and
international communications firms and their suppliers who offer a variety of
local, domestic and international long-distance, Internet, voice, data and
wireless services. Founded in 1981, CompTel members include global and
national firms, regional carriers and emerging local competitive companies,
including major competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs). For more
information, visit: http://www.comptel.org .
SOURCE CompTel
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Related links:
http://www.comptel.org
CONTACT:
Bonnie Van Fleet of CompTel, +1-202-296-6650,
or bvanfleet@comptel.org
NOTE TO EDITORS: To receive a copy of "Improving America's
Telecommunications Infrastructure, CompTel's Broadband Policy,"
e-mail bvanfleet@comptel.org.
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