Accurate, Focused Research on Law, Technology and Knowledge Discovery Since 2002

House Passes Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006

H.R. 5252 – “Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006 – Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to allow an eligible person or group to obtain a national franchise to provide cable service in a franchise area in lieu of any other authority under federal, state, or local law.

  • Requires: (1) the filing of a franchise certification with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC); and (2) cable operators with a national franchise to provide a specified minimum of channel capacity for public, educational, and governmental use, and to meet certain other requirements. Provides for FCC enforcement of franchising requirements.
  • Requires an annual FCC report on the deployment of cable service, including deployment by new cable operators.
  • Empowers the FCC to enforce its broadband policy statement and principles. Requires an FCC study regarding whether such statement and principles are being achieved.
  • Requires each VOIP (voice over Internet protocol) service provider to ensure that 911 and E-911 services are provided to subscribers of VOIP services. Outlines rights and obligations of VOIP service providers.

  • Allows the municipal provision of cable services, requiring competition neutrality among all providers in an area.
  • Prohibits a broadband service provider from requiring a subscriber, as a condition for such service, to purchase any cable, telecommunications, or VOIP service offered by the provider.
  • Directs the FCC to further the development of seamless mobility, requiring a study identifying barriers to achieving seamless mobility.”

    Sorry, comments are closed for this post.