The National Grange

Legislation to reform our nation’s outdated telecommunications laws is currently under debate in the U.S. Senate. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has approved H.R. 5252, The Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement Act of 2006 (COPE) and awaits action by the full U.S. Senate. Similar legislation, under the same name and number, has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives.

H.R. 5252 will directly address concerns that have been raised by the National Grange and other advocates representing rural consumers regarding the need for telecommunications reform for Rural America.

H.R. 5252 would ensure that all Americans have access to affordable telecommunications through the Universal Service Fund, including a new fund to finance expansion of broadband Internet service in unserved rural areas. The Universal Service Fund would become financially stable by requiring financial contributions to the fund from all telecommunications service providers and not just telephone companies, as is now the case. It would increase accountability by requiring regular audits to weed out waste, fraud and abuse of the program. It would provide additional funding for rural pharmacies to access the Internet in order to increase the use of e-prescription services that will save rural consumers time and money as well as reduce medication errors that can be life threatening.

H.R. 5252 would stimulate competition for video programming and additional private investment in expanding broadband networks by allowing telephone companies to offer video services over their networks in competition with cable companies and satellite video service providers. It would also streamline the process for phone companies and other alternative video service providers to obtain video franchises from thousands of local governments nationwide while protecting the franchise fees and other revenues that local governments receive from video service providers. It would also increase competition by permitting municipalities to offer broadband Internet services throughout America, including underserved rural communities. It would allow for the use of vacant TV spectrum to create inexpensive over-the-air broadband Internet services that could serve rural and remote areas where other technologies are too expensive to deploy.

H.R. 5252 would mandate that new Public Service Announcements be created and aired to inform Americans about the upcoming transition to digital television (DTV) in 2009 when convention analog TVs will no longer receive over the air broadcasts without a special converter box or a cable or satellite connection. Most of the consumers in the US who lack access to cable or satellite connections and that rely on over-the-air broadcasts for their television service live in rural communities. The legislation would also require all TV manufacturers to place labels on all current analog-only TV sets that are still for sale in stores with information about the DTV transition and the availability of conversion boxes at reduced prices.

H.R.5252 will strengthen protections against children gaining access to inappropriate materials, such as pornography. It requires warning labels on all web pages offering pornographic content in order to make it easier for parents and operators of public access Internet stations, such as those in schools and libraries, to employ filtering technology to block such sites from their computers.

H.R. 5252 will strengthen public safety and homeland security by reducing telephone rates for U.S. troops deployed overseas who call home to their families. It will provide $1 billion in grants for police, fire and medical emergency providers to upgrade their communications systems to provide for better inter-agency communications during natural disasters or terrorist attacks.

H.R.5252 creates a new Internet Consumer Bill of Rights that ensures that Internet companies cannot unilaterally block websites or e-mail. It also guarantees that consumers can purchase broadband Internet services from any source or vendor they choose without being required to purchase other services those companies may offer such as cable or phone services. The legislation further protects consumers by banning any new taxes on cell phones for three years; by permanently banning states from taxing the Internet or e-mail,; by mandating Truth in Caller ID which will prevent false names and numbers from appearing on Caller ID services; and established a consumer advocate position with the Federal communications commission to specifically address consumer issues

National Grange policy on telecommunication reform as expressed in the 2006 Blueprint for Rural America states:

“Expand Telecommunications Services in Rural Areas

Universal access to competitive telecommunications technologies such as telephone, cellular, wireless, television, radio, Internet, satellite and cable must be available to rural communities at affordable costs. The Internet delivers services and products efficiently, irrespective of geographic location. Telecommuters can enjoy rewarding careers and rural lifestyles, as well as conserve energy and reduce traffic congestion. Global position satellites improve productivity on America’s farms. Even with these benefits, we must protect children from inappropriate materials, we must prevent conglomerates from controlling multiple media venues, and we must reduce incidents of spam, Internet fraud and loss of privacy from these technologies.

1.Support programs such as the Universal Service Fund to guarantee every rural community will have local telephone service, cellular telephone and dial-up Internet or affordable high speed Internet access.

2. Support legislation to assure that every rural community has access to free, over-the-air broadcast radio and television services, as well as competitive cable, fiber optic, fixed wireless or satellite broadcast services. Provide adequate education and financial resources for a transition to digital television in 2009 or later.

3. Protect children from inappropriate materials, combat incidents of Internet fraud, reduce spam and increase privacy and security for individuals who use the Internet.

4. Support FCC scrutiny of media mergers resulting in consolidated control of multiple media venues.”

Please write an email to your two U.S. Senators to urge them to pass H.R.5252 before the end of this session of Congress. Please feel free to cut and paste the following sample letter. If you don’t know your Senators email addresses please click here to find them.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this Action Alert, please contact Legislative Director Leroy Watson by e-mail: lwatson@nationalgrange.org by fax: 202-347-1091 or by phone: 1-888-4GRANGE, ext 114.

Are you a Grange member who is interested in discussing public policy issues with other Grange members? CLICK HERE

Thank you for your grassroots participation in the National Grange Legislative program