Last week, a U.S. court invalidated key telecommunications regulations created by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This is the third time the Commission’s rules have been struck down, making it imperative that the Bush Administration act to fix the nation’s telecommunications mess. In its ruling, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit showed incredulity and disdain that in eight years, the FCC still hasn’t been able to properly interpret telecom law.
Ms. Arrison, While I whole heartedly agree that the FCC is not the bastion of streamlined regulatory thinking, to blame the FCC for the nation's telecom problems is unfair and simplistic. There is enough blame to blanket the region inside the Beltway. If Congress intended to dramatically change the Telecom landscape, it should have done it. Congress passed a law so full of inconsistencies and "special interest" flotsam that it is amazing the FCC could get anything done. Do you truly believe that this Balkanized regulatory environment exists because the FCC didn't adequately follow the guidance of the 1996 Telecom Act? Come on! This disaster has existed for decades. Congress took the easy way out by passing a law that didn't touch the legacy regulatory structure, primarily because it has no authority to limit the states role. Ever heard of "States rights"? The D.C. Circuit showing disdain? Please. By becoming completely over run by lawyers and lawsuits, the US legal system has made it impossible for anyone to move forward with innovative solutions to our current problems. And the Justice Department and Judge Green started this whole mess via their desire to "manage" the breakup of AT&T. To blame all of this on the FCC and the current administration in the White House is ludicrous. This industry suffers from over regulation in all levels of government, right down to many municipalities. It took decades to build this Tower of Babel. It will take decades to tear it down, if ever.
Loading ...
Time To Clean Up the Nation’s Telecom Mess
Posted by: Sonia Arrison March 10, 2004 08:22 AMLast week, a U.S. court invalidated key telecommunications regulations created by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This is the third time the Commission’s rules have been struck down, making it imperative that the Bush Administration act to fix the nation’s telecommunications mess. In its ruling, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit showed incredulity and disdain that in eight years, the FCC still hasn’t been able to properly interpret telecom law.
While I whole heartedly agree that the FCC is not the bastion of streamlined regulatory thinking, to blame the FCC for the nation's telecom problems is unfair and simplistic.
There is enough blame to blanket the region inside the Beltway. If Congress intended to dramatically change the Telecom landscape, it should have done it. Congress passed a law so full of inconsistencies and "special interest" flotsam that it is amazing the FCC could get anything done.
Do you truly believe that this Balkanized regulatory environment exists because the FCC didn't adequately follow the guidance of the 1996 Telecom Act? Come on! This disaster has existed for decades. Congress took the easy way out by passing a law that didn't touch the legacy regulatory structure, primarily because it has no authority to limit the states role. Ever heard of "States rights"?
The D.C. Circuit showing disdain? Please. By becoming completely over run by lawyers and lawsuits, the US legal system has made it impossible for anyone to move forward with innovative solutions to our current problems. And the Justice Department and Judge Green started this whole mess via their desire to "manage" the breakup of AT&T.
To blame all of this on the FCC and the current administration in the White House is ludicrous. This industry suffers from over regulation in all levels of government, right down to many municipalities. It took decades to build this Tower of Babel. It will take decades to tear it down, if ever.