Fitzpatrick Votes to Increase Consumer Choice in Telecommunications

Fitzpatrick Votes to Increase Consumer Choice in Telecommunications

In an effort to increase competition and lower price in the changing telecommunications market, the House of Representatives passed the H.R. 5252, the "Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006." Upon passage of this legislation, Congressman Michael G. Fitzpatrick released the following statement:

"American enterprise and the American consumer benefit the most when there is choice in the marketplace," Fitzpatrick said. "Our telecommunications industry is one of the most rapidly evolving sectors in our economy. Five years ago, cell phones, the Internet and digital television service were growing, but separate industries. Today, the telecommunications industry has advanced so rapidly that a consumer can now access all of these technologies on one device. Consumers have been told that one day, telephone service, television and the Internet would be accessed through one device. That day is here, and our telecommunications laws should reflect this advancement.

Consumers should have the opportunity to choose from competing private Internet and cable television providers. Increased competition benefits consumers by driving down prices and improving services. This legislation will break down the red tape that once kept American consumers from choosing services from different providers and it will remove the roadblocks to cheaper, faster broadband Internet connections."

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http://fitzpatrick.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=45072