WASHINGTON-The wireless industry will get its long sought-after pre-emption if a bill introduced by Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) is enacted into law.
“The bill will enact a set of federal consumer protection measures to ensure that consumers get high-quality service from all providers,” said Ensign Wed. morning at a press conference. “By setting federal standards that states can enforce, we will allow national carriers to invest and compete without a patchwork quilt of regulations.”
On its face, the Broadband Consumer Choice Act of 2005 seems to deal more with the franchising debate that has been swirling as the Baby Bells tried to get into video rather than wholesale telecommunications reform.
The bill repeals Title I, Title II and Title VI of the Communications Act. While the wireless industry is entitled to some Title II regulations, the wireless industry is generally subject to Title III, which Ensign’s bill does not appear to address.
Ensign would not give a timetable for consideration of his bill, saying that it would be up to Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee.
