North Carolina passes Consumer Choice and Investment Act

July 7, 2009 written by John Watson

North Carolina has recently taken great strides in modernizing their telecommunications market with the passage of the Consumer Choice and Investment Act. Outdated telecom regulations were hindering consumer access to new services and technologies; however, the recently passed bill will allow the market to keep pace with the ever expanding variety of telecommunications options for consumers.

Because the Consumer Choice and Investment Act passed:

• Outdated regulations will be removed and consumers will be allowed to benefit from a variety of technologies, such as VoIP, wireless, broadband and others in addition to traditional wireline phones, from a variety of providers.

• Consumers will benefit from more choices and will experience better service as companies fight for business by investing in current services and new, advanced technologies.

• Companies will now have an incentive to invest even more in new technologies and services. Investment in further deployment and adoption of broadband and digital technologies will benefit all North Carolinians.

• A new market environment will be created that is attractive to new investment and will keep North Carolina competitive with other states. Investment dollars will foster innovation and enable greater broadband access in the state.

The bill now goes to the Governor for signature.