Steve Largent: “I want to comment both Chairman Bliley and Chairman Fields for the leadership they have shown, as well as the diligence…”

“I want to comment both Chairman Bliley and Chairman Fields for the leadership they have shown, as well as the diligence and perseverance exhibited in shepherding this long overdue telecommunications bill through the legislative process. This conference report represents the first major overhaul of the communications industry in the last 60 years. This historic legislation reduces the Federal regulatory burden on the communications industry, and as a consequence of more competition and less regulation, American consumers should benefit from a greater choice of telecommunications services with lower prices and higher quality than is presently available. Currently, consumers of many telecommunication services in America do not benefit from the innovation of new services and constant pressure for lower prices that characterize competitive markets. For example, providers of local telephone services are currently protected from direct competition by a complex web of Federal, State, and local laws. This legislation, if it remains true to its intent, will cut through that inertia and allow competitors to offer local telephone services. We have already seen what real competition has done to long distance rates--I can only hope the same is true for local rates. This historic act has the potential to be the largest job creation bill in a decade.”