The House Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Telecommunications and
the Internet has scheduled a hearing today to consider the "Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and
Enhancement Act of 2006."
According to the Benton Foundation, the bill
would prevent regulations from slowing the entry of new competitors
into the pay-TV services market. Specifically, the bill would 1) create a
nationwide approval process for pay-TV services; 2) require Internet-based
telephone services to offer 9-1-1 capabilities while ensuring Internet
telephone providers have access to all necessary 9-1-1 infrastructure and
technology; 3) clarify the FCC authority to prevent Internet service providers
from blocking or degrading any content or applications delivered over the public
Internet; 4) preserve municipalities’ right to collect up to a five percent fee
from pay-TV providers; and 5) allow cities and towns to develop their own
broadband networks.
The Benton Foundation has put together a helpful summary of the bill as well as the complete text.
The hearing is being webcast.