Recent Legislative Successes for Consumers

May 13, 2009 written by John Watson

With several state legislative sessions coming to a close, it’s a good time to take a look at some of the policies and legislation from this year that encourage deployment and adoption of broadband.  CDF has supported legislation in a few states that would modernize and update telecommunications law, and we have seen legislative successes for consumers already this year in Alabama and South Carolina.  Currently, North Carolina is considering a bill that would modernize outdated laws and allow the market to keep pace with the ever expanding variety of telecommunications options for consumers.

All these pieces of legislation have one thing in common – they are public policies that encourage transparency, broad deployment and robust enhancement of broadband and digital technologies. Such policies benefit consumers by bringing a host of additional services and opportunities to their communities, spurring innovation and investment in new technologies and increased competition for customers.  This type of increased competition for customers is exhibited by the recent AT&T acquisition of wireless spectrum from Verizon Wireless, which will allow AT&T to offer wireless services in more areas, primarily rural areas, in 18 states, including Alabama.  This type of industry investment in the state will help to bring digital technologies to more consumers, particularly in rural areas.  We hope the legislation referenced above will result in investments like this one as increased competition is a byproduct of an environment that is favorable to business investment.  All these pieces of legislation are examples of public policy that encourage investment in states and create favorable business environments, which could increase access to broadband and digital technologies for consumers.