UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Friday, February 9, 1996
7A
Clinton signs telecommunications bill
The telecommunications bill
Congress and the White House have agreed on a bill that will make sweeping changes in U.S. telecommunications laws. A summary:
CABLE TV
Immediately deregulates rates for customers of cable services with longer lines BOQO subscribers
Immediately deregulate rates for customers on cable systems with less than 50,000 subscribers
Makes it harder for cable customers to contest rates at FCC
Deregulates all others by March 1999 or sooner if a cable company competes against a telephone company for cable customers.
Makes it harder for cable customers to contest rates at FCC
Lets local phone companies others deliver video to homes, businesses
LOCAL PHONE SERVICE
- Long-distance, cable, other companies – including public utilities like electric companies – can offer local phone service
Consumers keep their phone number even if they change their local phone provider.
Companies not allowed to sell local and long-distance service as a package until the Bell company in that area is allowed into long-distance
BROADCASTERS
TV stations get new chunk of airwaves to deliver digital TV signals
UNIVERSAL SERVICE
- Low-income, rural consumers entitled to services at reduced rates, paid for equally by all service providers
- Schools, libraries, rural health care facilities entitled to preferential rates for services
COMPUTER PORN, TV VIOLENCE, SEX
- Outsails transmission of sexually explicit and other indecent materials to minors on computer networks
- Requires TV manufacturers to equip new sets with a computer chip so parents can electronically block shows labeled as offensive
LONG DISTANCE
Local companies must comply with checklist to ensure competition
to ensure competition
FCC can bar the local Bell's entry into long-distance market if it does not serve the public interest
Forbids local Bell companies from providing long-distance service until competition provides local phone service to some customers
Prohibits companies from changing consumers' provider without permission
MEDIA OWNERSHIP
TV company could own stations that reach up to 35% of TV viewers
Companies could own more radio stations locally than they can now
Lifts law that bans one company from owning a TV station and cable system in one market
WASHINGTON President Clinton signed legislation yesterday that he said would bring the future to our doorstep by opening new forms of communication through telephones, TV sets and computers.
The Associated Press
Surrounded by books, some more than 200 years old, at the Library of Congress, Clinton signed the bill both the old-fashioned way and the high-tech way — first using a regular pen and then an electronic one.
"Today, with a stroke of a pen, our laws will catch up with our future," the president said.
The law is already under legal attack by groups opposing an antindecency provision.
Opponents, mostly consumer groups, also say more jobs will be lost than gained through consolidation and that cable and telephone rates will rise because the level of competition envisioned by supporters will not emerge.
The bill will let local and long-distance phone companies and cable companies into each others' businesses, deregulate cable rates and allow media companies to expand their holdings more easily.
SOURCE: Knight-Ridder Tribune
Supporters say the measure will boost jobs, expand consumer choices and potentially lower prices for cable, telephone and other communications services.
"This new law is truly revolutionary legislation that will bring the future to our doorstep," Clinton said.
Just hours after the signing, AT&T Corp. Chairman Robert Allen described plans to expand into the local telephone market as early as this summer. Allen said he thought the company could win at least one third of the $90 billion local phone market in five to 10 years.
The law, for the first time, outlaws transmission of indecent and other sexually explicit materials to minors through computer networks. It also would require new TV sets to be equipped with a special computer chip to allow parents to electronically block programs electronically rated for violent and other objectionable content.
"With freedom, comes responsibility," said Clinton, who is to meet with members of the TV industry Feb. 29 in part to persuade them to rate their programs. If they don't, the chin is useless.
The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups are challenging the anti-indecency provision. They say it is too broad and would outlaw electronic transmissions of legal speech, including literature such as Catcher in the Rye, some rap lyrics, and some contend, discussions of abortion.
With the signing, portions of the Internet went into virtual mourning to protest the provision, with some changing the background color of their World Wide Web pages to black.
Supporters, including the Christian Coalition, say the provision legally regulates indecent speech to protect children.
The ceremony took on a humorous note, as Vice President Al Gore bantered on the telephone with comedian Lily Tomlin, playing her familiar role as telephone operator Ernestine.
"A gracious hello," Ernestine said, her digitized face glowing from a TV monitor on stage. "Have I reached the party to whom I am speaking?" To Clinton, she said, "I can just see the headlines: Bill signs bill."
The new law, Clinton said, "clearly enables the age of possibility in America to expand to include more Americans. It will create many, many high-wage jobs. It will provide for more information and more entertainment to virtually every American home."
But the Consumer Federation of America and Consumers Union claim the law will consolidate the $700 billion telecommunication industry so that four or five companies eventually will control Americans' access to communications, news and entertainment.
"There will be some consolidation," Gore told The Associated Press. "But there also will be new entries into the competition." He said provisions in the bill would protect against undue concentration.
"The truth shall make you free." John 8:32 Come to hear a speaker who is famous for telling the truth Dr. Joycelyn Elders Former U.S. Surgeon General
"American Health Care Crisis: My Cure"
Tuesday, February 13th 9:00 a.m. Lied Center West Campus, University of Kansas (access off 19th & Iowa)
Don't miss it!
Admission free
Reception follows
Pol. Adv.
This event co-sponsored by: University of Kansas Office of Minority Affairs,
Multicultural Resource Center at K.U., and Citizens for Dialogue.
For additional information call: 864-4351 or 843-7107
BACON ON THE DOUBLE.
The University of Kansas
School of Fine Arts
Just when you thought we could top the original Double Decker Truck, you could just top yet another invisible teal-brown! introduce the BLT. Double Decker Taco and the Truck. Double Decker Taco. The soft and
original loyalty you love from our original Dollies. Double, offer more than one. Row you get cute, county, and stitched together in one taste. Its only for a limited time, but the ones that sell them on the double.
Music and Dance
7:30 p.m.
Monday, February 12, 1996
Lied Center
Paul Garner.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
clarinet soloist
KU Symphonic Band Robert E. Foster, conductor
At Participating locations. ©1996 Taco Bell Corp
General admission tickets are on sale in the KU box offices: Murphy Hall, 864-3982; Lied Center, 864-ARTS; SUA Office, 864-3477; public $5, students and senior citizens $3; both VISA and MasterCard are accepted for phone orders.
featuring guest soloist
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COLD WEATHER
Winter isn't over yet!
If you want to get
where you are going warmly,
then come to this meeting. Your
warm body will thank you!
Tuesday, February 13
8:00 pm. Rm. 150
Robinson Gymnasium
For more information: KV Recreation Services, 984-35-46
February 9th at the Holiday Inn from 9:00 p.m. til 2:00 a.m.
$4.00 cover charge
Valentine's Party
International Students Association
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