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ACROSS SESSIONS

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1995 SESSION

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LD1305288
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 188 Offered January 25, 1994 Expressing the sense of the General Assembly concerning the development of the competitive market for telecommunications services. ----------
Patrons--Heilig, Bloxom, Callahan, Hall, Jones, J.C., Keating, McDonnell, Plum, Purkey and Van Landingham; Senator: Nolen
---------- Referred to Committee on Rules ----------

WHEREAS, rapid developments in technology have expanded the means of communicating information and have produced new information and telecommunications services; and

WHEREAS, the changes in technology and services are so dynamic that the nation is entering an era that envisions the creation of an "electronic information superhighway"; and

WHEREAS, the new and emerging services are the product of the convergence of audio, video, and data transmission technologies; and

WHEREAS, the elimination of technological boundaries has resulted in the transformation of the industries that serve the needs of the residents and businesses of the Commonwealth and in an increasing number of providers of information and telecommunications services; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth has recognized through prior legislation and regulatory action that the nature of telecommunications services is changing, that telecommunications services are no longer the exclusive, monopolistic business of local telephone companies; and

WHEREAS, ensuring the availability and accessibility of high-quality, affordable telecommunications services to all residents and businesses in the Commonwealth is necessary and vital to the welfare and development of our society; and

WHEREAS, such services are provided on an increasingly competitive basis by a number of different providers; and

WHEREAS, the efficient provision of modern telecommunications services by multiple providers will promote economic development in the private sector and create employment opportunities in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the development and deployment of advanced telecommunications services will enhance the delivery of services by public and not-for-profit institutions in the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That it is the policy of the Commonwealth to promote the development of a market environment that will enable competitive providers of audio, video, and data telecommunications services to offer their services to all citizens and businesses of the Commonwealth while protecting consumers and the competitive process; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the State Corporation Commission be entrusted to protect the development of the competitive market for such services and to safeguard that market by preventing unfair discrimination against providers, predatory behavior by providers against consumers or other providers, and the imposition of undue economic burdens upon consumers and providers of telecommunications technology.