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For Immediate Release
June 8, 2006 |
Media Contact: Margaret Boles
COMPTEL
(202) 296-6650
(202) 296-7585 |
House Fails to Adopt Safeguards to Preserve the Open Internet
WASHINGTON, DC - June 8, 2006 - The House today passed HR 5252, the Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement (COPE) Act, national cable franchising legislation that fails to include Net neutrality provisions necessary to preserve the open nature of the Internet. The following statement may be attributed to Earl Comstock, President and CEO of COMPTEL:
"COMPTEL is greatly disappointed that the House today capitulated to the strong arm tactics of the Bell operating monopolies and passed legislation that advances the interests of the Bell companies at the expense of consumers and competition. By failing to adopt pro-competitive safeguards, including Net neutrality provisions, the House has set the stage for America to fall further behind Europe and Asia with respect to broadband services. This legislation provides even greater incentive for the Bell companies, like the cable companies before them, to raise prices, limit competition, and squash innovation. The House today has failed American consumers and businesses by taking a giant step toward turning the Internet into a cable duopoly."
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COMPTEL is the leading industry association representing communications service providers and their supplier partners. Based in Washington, D.C., COMPTEL advances its members' businesses through policy advocacy and through education, networking and trade shows. COMPTEL members are entrepreneurial companies building and deploying next-generation networks to provide competitive voice, data, and video services. COMPTEL members create economic growth and improve the quality of life of all Americans through technological innovation, new services, affordable prices and customer choice. COMPTEL members share a common objective: advancing communications through innovation and open networks. For more information, call COMPTEL at 202/296-6650.
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