Internet, video and voice services are to be addressed in U. S. telecommunications laws and the Committee has announced draft legislation.


The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee announced draft legislation, on Thursday, for overhauling U.S. telecommunications laws to include new technologies like internet video and voice services.

Rep. Joe Barton of Texas, the committee’s Republican Chairman, said “We need a fresh new approach that will encourage internet providers to expand and improve broadband networks, spur growth in the technology sector and develop cutting edge services for consumers”.

Phone companies have been lobbying lawmakers and regulators to limit state regulation of high speed internet services. Telephone and cable companies have been competing to sign up subscribers for high speed internet.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee lawmakers are expected to discuss the draft over the next few weeks and hold hearings on it in October. Analysts have said chances are slim that Congress would approve telecommunications legislation this year.

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