And it doesn't help at least the image of the telecom and cable companies to have so many of their members in regulatory positions: In 2003 to 2004, for example, about a third of the Consumer Advisory Committee of the FCC was composed of lawyers for AT&T, BellSouth, Cingular, Verizon, MCI, Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association, National Association of Broadcasters, Telecommunications Industry Association, and the National Cable Telecommunications Association.
Regardless, despite all the lobbying by phone companies and by those who oppose a tiered system of fees on the Internet, Congress will probably not pass telecom reform legislation this year: it is probably too complex and time-consuming to debate in an election year. But as mentioned above, supporters of "net neutrality" fear that secret deals are already being done between phone companies and certain content providers for preferential treatment on the Internet.
And it is widely anticipated that the merger of AT&T and BellSouth will be approved by both shareholders and regulators within a year, particularly because the business environment in which the new AT&T will operate bears little resemblance to that which existed when the old "Ma Bell" was broken up: Back in 1984, cable companies were far smaller and less competitive, cellphones were a novelty, and the Internet was mostly a scholarly dream.
In Conclusion
The original Bell Telephone Company was founded in 1877 by Alexander Graham Bell. This inventor of the telephone captured the spirit of our Information Age when he said: "Great discoveries and improvements invariably involve the cooperation of many minds."
That is precisely the reason we must so jealously guard the freedom of all our communications.
Regardless, despite all the lobbying by phone companies and by those who oppose a tiered system of fees on the Internet, Congress will probably not pass telecom reform legislation this year: it is probably too complex and time-consuming to debate in an election year. But as mentioned above, supporters of "net neutrality" fear that secret deals are already being done between phone companies and certain content providers for preferential treatment on the Internet.
And it is widely anticipated that the merger of AT&T and BellSouth will be approved by both shareholders and regulators within a year, particularly because the business environment in which the new AT&T will operate bears little resemblance to that which existed when the old "Ma Bell" was broken up: Back in 1984, cable companies were far smaller and less competitive, cellphones were a novelty, and the Internet was mostly a scholarly dream.
In Conclusion
That is precisely the reason we must so jealously guard the freedom of all our communications.
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