Proposals for Revision of the Communications Act of 1934: Telecommunications Issues Page: 2 of 21
View a full description of this report.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
-B81150 UPDATE-ll/19/82
:SSUE DEFINITION
The revision of the Communications Ac: of 1934 -- the law that give
Federal Commur-ications Commission (FCC) the authority to regulate
communications induszrv -- has been a subject of significant congress
concern since the 94th Congress. While a number of legislative alter
to amend the Communications Act have teen proposed, due to the complexi
the issues facing telecommunications reform and conflict over the nu
available options, no major legislation to amend the Act has teen p
Unlike in previous Congresses when revisions were introduced primarily
torn of omnibus measures, legislative initiatives in the 97th Congress
taken tne form of tills dealing separately with specific facet
communications (e.g., teleChone, television, radio, or telegraph)
tnere are numerous Pieces of legislation pentin, all containing signi
ramifications for the communications industry, one of the most far-re
ant controversial areas under revi ew is that of communication common ca
(i.e., telephones). In Aoril 1981, Senator Packwood introduced
Telecommunications Competition and Deregulation Act of 1981," 5. 89
deregulate ant restructure the telecommunications industry. The
Commerce Committee reported the till in July, ant an amentet version
-98 was passed 90-4 ty the Senate Oct. 7, 1981 and referred to the Ecu
Oct. 20, 1981. A companion til., . R. 5158, the "Telecommunications A
198," was introduced by Rep. Wirth on Dec. 10,.1981 ant a substitute v
the "Telecommunications Act of 1982", was unani:mously reported b
Subcommittee in March 1982. Full Committee markup or E-R. 515
terminated, however, when it was determined that remain controV
could not be resoIved in the limited time remaining in this session.
action appears to have derailed any major legislative attempts to revis
Communications Act in the 97th Congress thereby focusing further attend
2CC and Justice Department activities.
BACKGROUND AND POLICY ANALYSIS
Attempts to revise the laws governing the regulation of communications
a massive and controversial undertaking affecting not only the tel
i.ntustry, but the broadcast, newspaper, computer, satellite and elect
industries as well. Due to the advent of comDuters ant other technol
developments, the barriers between basic telecommunications, data proce
and mass media services are becoming indistinguishable.Among the most controversial issues facing the revision of
communications Act is the restructuring of AT&T and the modification
1956 consent decree to allox AT&T to enter unregulated markets, such as
processing. Some of the mai.n concerns facing such a restructuring ir
a) the prohibition of cross subsidization between regulated and unreg
services; (b) the control of network dominance so that access of
quality a: an equal price is assured ant; (c) the prevention c
deterioration of the regulated network in favor of the unrec
alternative. Attempts to restructure the industry have teen addressed
Justice Department, at the Federal Communications Commission, as well
Congress.s the
e the
s ional
atives
ty of
merous
'asset.
in the
have
s of
While
Scant
ach ingu
.rri.ers
the
8, to
Senate
of S.
se on
~ct of
ersion
v the
8 was
'ers ies
Such
e the
.ion on
can be
ephone
roni.cs
*ogi cal
ss in9,of a
data
~clude:
~ulated
eoual
)f the
ulated
at the
as inCR S-1
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This report can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Report.
Gilroy, Angele A. Proposals for Revision of the Communications Act of 1934: Telecommunications Issues, report, November 19, 1982; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8789/m1/2/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.