PL PACKET 04181996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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FREDRIKSON & BI'RON, P.A. Attorneys At Lau' • Cable Television Franchising Authorities and Other Interested Persons February 16, 1996 Page 2 SUMMARY OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1996 ; I. General Policy. The stated purpose of the Act is to provide "a competitive, de- regulatory national policy framework designed to accelerate rapidly private sector deployment of advanced telecommunications and information technologies and services to all Americans by opening all telecommunications markets to competition..." H. Key Provisions. Every American will feel the effect of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 in some way. Some of the Act's key provisions are: A. Telephone Service. 1. Competition for Local Service. No longer will most consumers be forced to purchase local telephone service from a Regional Bell Operating • Company (RBOC) (i.e. US WEST, Ameritech, NYNEX). The Telecommunications Act allows other telecommunications providers to compete for this business. 2. Interconnection Requirements. Most telecommunications providers must interconnect their facilities with those of other telecommunication's providers. 3-. Competition for Toll Service. Local telephone companies are not the only ones who will be facing new competition. Long distance providers will as well. The Act allows RBOCs, which have been barred from' providing interstate long distance services since 1984, to compete in the long distance market. RBOCs must be certified to provide long distance service pursuant to rules to be released by the FCC. B. Effect on State and Local Governments. 1. Preservation of Regulatory Powers. The Telecommunications Act preserves the rights of state and local governments to "manage the public rights-of-way" and to require "fair and reasonable compensation from telecommunications providers for the use of public rights-of-way on a nondiscriminatory basis. The Act also preserves state and local • governmental rights to preserve and advance universal service, ensure the continued quality-of telecommunications services, safeguard the rights of consumers and protect the safety and welfare of citizens.