Passage of this bill is a major milestone along the road to the full-blown telecommunications competition crucial to America's economic success and leadership in the next century.

This legislation builds on the tremendous success of the antitrust consent decree that broke up the old Bell System monopoly and brought consumers lower prices, innovation, and improved service in long distance, equipment manufacturing, and information services. This bill will now bring the benefits of robust competition to consumers of local telephone and cable service.

The Antitrust Division's work in this strategic industry is now entering a new and challenging phase. We will do our part through enforcing the antitrust laws vigorously and working closely with the FCC to help ensure that this legislation lives up to its full promise.

As we embark on this new chapter in telecommunications history, Americans owe a debt of gratitude to Judge Harold Greene and to the many dedicated public servants in the Antitrust Division, for laying the groundwork that has made all of this possible. Congress is to be commended for its bipartisan approach to this legislation.

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