104-104 ), represented the first major rewrite of our nation's telecommunications policy. 151 et seq.) to address the emergence of competition in what were previously considered to be monopolistic markets. Despite its relatively recent enactment, however, a consensus has been growing that the 1996 Act fails to adequately address the convergence and technological changes now facing the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors. Although many policymakers (as well as the popular and trade press) have labeled efforts to revise existing telecommunications law "the rewrite or revision of the 1996 Act," in actuality the revisions being considered are likely to go beyond what is included in the 1996 Act and will add to and modify the underlying statute which is the 1934 Act. In the 109 th Congress efforts to pass a comprehensive telecommunications measure, while successful in the House ( H.R. 5252 ), did not make it to the Senate floor for consideration. The 110 th Congress has held hearings on a wide range of topics including broadband deployment, the digital television transition, media ownership, universal service fund reform, FCC oversight, and public safety communications. Unlike in the 109 th Congress however, where energy was focused on the passage of a single comprehensive telecommunications reform measure, it appears that the 110 th Congress, to date, is focusing on more narrowly targeted incremental revisions which may be passed as stand-alone measures or in conjunction with other legislative vehicles. Regardless of the outcome of legislative proposals, however, the 110 th Congress has taken, and is expected to continue to take, an active role in examining and debating the issues that such a revision may entail. This report provides an introduction to selected issues which the 110 th Congress has begun, or is likely, to address as it continues to examine possible revision of telecommunications law. While far from an exhaustive list, the following issues have been selected for discussion due to their relevance and prominence in the current telecommunications reform debate: broadband Internet regulation and access; broadcast indecency; digital television transition; Federal Communications Commission structure and reform; media ownership rules; municipal deployment of broadband; public safety communications; the "savings clause" and monopoly issues; spectrum auctions; and universal service fund reform. The underlying references to CRS products included at the end of each issue, should be used to update relevant events and, to track Congressional activity. This report will be updated occasionally. (47 U.S.C. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 ( P.L.
The passage of the 1996 Telecommunications Act (P.L. 104-104) resulted in a major revision of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.) to address the emergence of competition in what were previously considered to be monopolistic markets. Although less than a decade has passed, a consensus has grown that existing laws that govern the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors have become inadequate to meet the Nation's changing telecommunications environment. Technological changes such as the advancement of Internet technology to supply data, voice, and video, the transition to digital television, as well as the growing convergence in the telecommunications sector have, according to many policymakers, made it necessary to consider another "rewrite" or revision, of the laws governing these markets.
In the 109th Congress efforts to pass a comprehensive telecommunications measure, while successful in the House (H.R. 5252), did not make it to the Senate floor for consideration. The 110th Congress has held hearings on a wide range of topics including broadband deployment, the digital television transition, media ownership, universal service fund reform, FCC oversight, and public safety communications. Unlike in the 109th Congress however, where energy was focused on the passage of a single comprehensive telecommunications reform measure, it appears that the 110th Congress, to date, is focusing on more narrowly targeted incremental revisions which may be passed as stand-alone measures or in conjunction with other legislative vehicles. Regardless of the outcome of legislative proposals, however, the 110th Congress is taking, and is expected to continue to take, an active role in examining and debating the issues that such a revision may entail.
This report provides an overview of selected topics which the 110th Congress has begun, or is likely, to address in its examination of telecommunications issues. While far from a definitive list, the issues selected are wide-ranging and touch upon topics central to the telecommunications reform debate. The issues included in this report cover: broadband Internet regulation and access; broadcast indecency; digital television transition; Federal Communications Commission structure and reform; media ownership rules; municipal deployment of broadband; public safety communications, the "savings clause" and monopoly issues; spectrum auctions; and universal service fund reform.
This report addresses major issues, rather than addressing specific legislative activity. The underlying references to CRS products, included at the end of each issue, should be used to expand upon the issue, update relevant events and, where appropriate, track Congressional activity. This report will be updated occasionally.