Thursday, February 24, 2005
Excelent article from Verizon on competition in telecommunications
Verizon to Texas House Regulated Industries Committee: Structure State's Proposed Telecommunications Deregulation on Wireless Phone Industry, Not on Failed Local Cable TV Model.
Company Also Asks Legislators to Protect Rural Texas Phone Service Fund
Feb. 23, 2005
AUSTIN, Texas -- Saying the initial draft of a state telecommunications reform bill would be a boon for local cable TV companies and a bust for telecommunications customers, Verizon's top executive in Texas urged the Legislature to "fully and unconditionally" embrace free-market competition in Texas for all telecommunications providers, not just local cable TV companies.
"This is not the time for more and/or conditional state government regulation burdening some telecom industries to the benefit of others, "said Verizon Southwest Region President Steve Banta in testimony at a public hearing held yesterday by the House Regulated Industries Committee on the proposal, House Bill 789. "It's time to let Texas customers choose, not the state government, which telecommunication technologies are good for the future of Texas.
"It's time for Texas to embrace the proven model of the wireless phone industry, which, unburdened by state regulation, has delivered free-market competition, lower prices and new technological benefits to phone customers across Texas.
Hooray Mr. Banta. Although I highly doubt Verizon is really thinking about consumers when they go to bat for open competition, the sentiments are right on the mark. Competition not only lowers prices but also drives technological inovations, a win-win scenario for end users.
