AT&T comments on House passage of telecommunications bill

WASHINGTON -- AT&T issued the following statement this afternoon following
passage of H.R. 1555 in the House by a vote of 305 to 117.

The House vote was no surprise but is nonetheless very disappointing. The
House had an opportunity to take a bold step toward reform but retreated.
It backed away from a Commerce Committee-passed bill that would have
advanced competition by forcing the Bell companies to face real
competition.

Although the bill establishes the theoretical conditions for opening the
local telephone exchange, it frees the Regional Bell companies to extend
their monopolies into the competitive long distance business before they
face broad local service competition from a rival company with its own
network facilities.

But this unbalanced legislation isn't law yet. Along with others, AT&T will
continue to work to achieve a balanced result when the legislation is
considered by a House-Senate conference committee later this year. In
conference, we will urge members to strive for true reform and ensure
competition through all segments of the industry. The fact that a number
of the objectionable provisions of the House bill remain contentious, as
evidenced by today's key vote totals, provides encouragement that a better
result can emerge in conference.
 
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