The U.S. Chamber of Commerce threw its weight into the debate on ...

favor certain networks and ending price distortions, said Chamber Pres. Thomas Donohue. House Commerce Committee Chmn. Barton (R-Tex.) joined Donohue in unveiling the coalition and said the telecom reform sought by his committee will start from “a clean sheet of paper” and be an “enhancement, and in some cases a substitute, for the 1996 Telecom Act.” He said the Telecom Subcommittee will continue to hold hearings to examine telecom reform, which will help the Committee determine what regulatory changes are needed. The Chamber released a study it commissioned on telecom reform, titled “Sending the Right Signals: Promoting Competition Through Telecommunications Reform.” The study, which Donohue said was commissioned through general revenue funds, so it would not face credibility questions because of industry backing. The study laid out 6 recommendations: (1) Phase out mandatory network-sharing rules and, “more immediately,” end regulated wholes rates set at what it called “theoretical costs.” (2) Make 438 MHz of prime radio spectrum available for commercial wireless operators. (3) Exempt high-speed cable modem and DSL from common carrier regulations. (4) Exempt Internet service from state telephone service regulations. (5) Raise funds for universal service directly from general tax revenue, rather than from “hidden costs that penalize telecommunications competition and the growth of network services.” (6) Distribute universal service funds directly to targeted consumers. Other TeleConsensus members include the Electronic Industries Alliance, National Assn. of Manufacturers, National Black Chamber of Commerce, Time Warner, T-Mobile USA and 3M. Jason Oxman, CompTel/ALTS senior vp-legal affairs, said Bell companies were playing “bait and switch” and trying to eliminate competition before committing to rolling out broadband service. “If we let the Bells recapture their monopolies, as they are close to doing, we will once again see a return to the pre-1996 days of dial up Internet access and ISDN -- services with fat profits for the monopolies, but no benefit for consumers and small businesses,” Oxman said.