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Hollings: Court Decision "Staggering Blow" to Telecom Competition

Date: March 2, 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Technology and Communication Judicial Branch

Hollings foresees higher prices and fewer choices for telecom consumers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Fritz Hollings issued the following comments today regarding the D.C. Circuit Court decision in the case of United States Telecommunications Association (USTA) v. Federal Communications Commission (FCC):

"Today, the D.C. Circuit leveled a staggering blow to the benefits of local telephone competition. Within a few short months, tens of millions of Americans could face higher prices and fewer choices as competitive alternatives are eliminated due to the meddling of an activist court.

"While regrettable, the outcome here is not surprising given this Court's consistent hostility to the pro-competitive provisions of the 1996 Act. Fortunately, the D.C. Circuit has been overturned in the past by the Supreme Court on these important issues, and I expect it will be again. I look forward to working with the Commission to achieve that end."

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