Telecommunications Act of 1996

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 was the first major overhaul of United States telecommunications policy in nearly 62 years, modifying earlier legislation, primarily the Communications Act of 1934. It was approved by the 104th Congress on January 3, 1996. It was signed into law by United States President Bill Clinton on February 8, 1996. The legislation regulates:

Related Topics:
United States - Telecommunications - Policy - Communications Act of 1934 - 104th Congress - January 3 - 1996 - United States President - Bill Clinton - February 8

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• Broadcasting by over-the-air television and radio stations;
• cable television operators;
• satellite broadcasters;
• Wireline telephone companies (local and long distance), wireless telephone companies, and others.

The general intention of the Act was deregulation and promotion of competition. The Act removed barriers which had previously prevented telecoms from competing head-to-head and thus the Act has fostered competition. However, deregulation was also intended to offer consumers a choice in local phone service. By 1999, 98% of homes had no choice in local service.

Related Topics:
Deregulation - 1999

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Passage of the Act resulted in several major mergers, including:

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• AT&T bought TCI Corp;
• Bell Atlantic and NYNEX merged;
• Southwestern Bell and PacTel merged to become SBC and then bought Ameritech;
• MCI Communications and WorldCom merged to become MCI WorldCom;
• Bell Atlantic and GTE merged to become Verizon.

Title V was the Communications Decency Act, aimed at regulating online pornography but was later defeated in the courts by on constitutional grounds by advocates of free speech.

Related Topics:
Communications Decency Act - Online - Pornography - Free speech

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Telecommunications Act of 1996: External links ►