February 20, 1997
The FCC's Common Carrier Bureau has released a report detailing its
accomplishments since enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the 1996
Act). Since the 1996 Act was signed into law on February 8, 1996, the Bureau has
taken the lead on implementing many of its pro-competitive, de-regulatory provisions
set forth by Congress.
"The Bureau has done an outstanding job rising to the challenge Congress put
before us. Together with the rest of the Commission, we've kept our promise to meet
or beat every statutory deadline in the 1996 Act," said Bureau Chief, Regina Keeney.
"Our goal is to create competition in all telephone markets, including both local and
long distance, to ensure that consumers will have the best possible options when
choosing a telephone carrier."
In the report, the Bureau outlines the major proceedings on which it has had
primary responsibility and which are designed to introduce more competition in the
local and long distance telephone markets. The report also highlights the actions
taken by the Bureau to encourage more public participation in Commission
proceedings.
Since the 1996 Act was passed, the Bureau has hosted 15 public meetings on
various issues such as access charge reform, universal service, and the formal
complaints process. In addition, the Bureau established the Federal-State Joint Board
on Universal Service which issued a Recommended Decision on the universal service
provisions of the 1996 Act.
-FCC-
News Media Contacts: Rochelle Cohen at (202) 418-0253 and Jodie Buenning at (202) 418-7272.