WASHINGTON—CTIA President Steve Largent was rebuffed in his effort to implore the Senate Commerce Committee to include a “national framework for regulation” in the telecommunications-reform bill.
Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, told reporters following a hearing on the Communications Act of 2006 that total pre-emption of state regulation would not be included when the committee releases a revised draft, which is expected early next month.
The news was praised by a representative of state regulators. “Resisting industry entreaties to eliminate state consumer protections is a good strategic decision. The bill needs to stay narrow if it’s going to move this year,” said Brian Adkins, telecommunications legislative director for the National Association of Regulatory Commissioners.
Adkins said he believed the attempt to keep telecommunications reform narrow was the reason pre-emption was not included in a bill passed by the House Commerce Committee last month.
Pre-emption of state regulation has been CTIA’s top telecommunications-reform priority and the association has been scrutinized and criticized for not being able to convince lawmakers to include it. The trade association said it is educating lawmakers while playing defense.
“We fully anticipate and recognize that the bill—from a wireless perspective—may get worse before it gets better. This is a very fluid process and we look forward to continuing to educate members and staff on our issues,” said Joseph Farren, CTIA director of public affairs.
After Stevens releases a revised draft June 5, the Senate Commerce Committee is scheduled to consider this bill June 20.
