Ed Markey: “I am a friend of telecommunications competition. I know telecommunications competition. This bill is not a friend of…”

“I am a friend of telecommunications competition. I know telecommunications competition. This bill is not a friend of telecommunications competition. In fact, what has happened since 1997, after the 1996 Telecommunications Act passed, was that broadband deployment went across the country at such a rapid pace that now somewhere between, depending upon how we look at it, 70 to 80 percent of all Americans now have access to broadband. That did not happen by accident. It happened because we had a vigorous competitive telecommunications policy. That is why the Bells do not like it. But it has ensured that upwards of $60 billion of investment that otherwise would not have been made was put out into the marketplace. We do not want to change that. The bill in 1996 was a paranoia-inducement act. This bill is meant to be a sedative, a calming influence, so the Bells do not have to feel that paranoia any longer. If we do that, we will be looking at the future through a rearview mirror.”