TELECOMMUNICATIONS BILL CONSIDERED

Harrisburg, Oct. 28, 2003 – State Sen. Connie Williams, Democratic chairwoman of the Senate Communications and Technology Committee noted that legislation designed to promote access to high-speed Internet across the state is advancing.

Committee members, Monday, amended legislation (S.B. 900) that would strengthen Pennsylvania’s high-speed communications, by consolidating and focusing regulatory responsibility within a newly created Pennsylvania Telecommunications Commission. The commission would be encouraged to promote competition over the existing telephone network. Additionally a fund would be created to help companies finance the installation of wireless and other innovative broadband access technologies in rural and underserved areas.

“It is important to remember that this legislation is not required to extend the Dec. 31, 2003 sunset of the Chapter 30 regulations,” Williams said. “Instead this legislation would improve upon the Commonwealth’s program.”

Williams offered an amendment to the bill, which was unanimously approved by the committee. The amendment would require the new commission to perform regular audits of telecommunications companies. These audits would include an examination of not only management effectiveness and operating efficiency, but also compliance with commission orders and regulations.

As amended, an audit would have to be performed before a company completes its Network Modernization Plan. It also would add the Office of Small Business Advocate, Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee and House Consumer Protection Committee as recipients of audit findings.

The Senate Communications and Technology Committee spent the past year and a half holding hearings to review the state of telecommunications, access and affordability in Pennsylvania. This bill is just one step in beginning the process to empower all people of Philadelphia with access to up-to-date and affordable communications technology.