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Journal Article

Economic and Political Consequences of the 1996 Telecommunications Act

01 Jan 1999-Hastings Law Journal-Vol. 50, Iss: 6, pp 1359
TL;DR: The 1996 Telecommunications Act seems to encourage competition in key segments of the telephone and cable television industries as discussed by the authors, and stock price data suggest that the wave of "megamergers" in telecommunications-probably an unanticipated result of the Telecommunications Act-is associated with consumer benefits.
Abstract: The 1996 Telecommunications Act seems to be encouraging competition in key segments of the telephone and cable television industries. Stock price data suggest that the wave of "megamergers" in telecommunications-probably an unanticipated result of the Telecommunications Act-is associated with consumer benefits. Improvements in competitiveness are modest by some standards but impressive when judged against the results of other legislation with the announced goal of increasing market rivalry (e.g., the 1984 and 1992 Cable Acts). Federal policymakers also seem to be reaping benefits from the Telecommunications Act, in that its mandate for extensive rulemaking by the FCC in the transition to competition is associated with increases in political contributions to federal policymakers from telecommunications firms and executives. That is an intended consequence of the act's major reform: removing policy jurisdiction from Judge Harold Green's divestiture oversight and placing it in the hands of the FCC, a regulatory agency answerable to Congress.

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Book
30 Oct 2014
TL;DR: In this article, the authors introduce the main principles of economic regulation and examine how economic regulation is applied in four key public utility industries (e.g., electricity, gas, water, and telecommunications).
Abstract: Drawing from the most recent work on economic regulation, this book introduces readers to the main principles and examines how economic regulation is applied in four key public utility industries - electricity, gas, water and telecommunications. Written for students and practitioners with little prior knowledge of economic regulation, this is an accessible, non-technical entry point to the subject area, exploring the fundamental questions: Why do we regulate? What are alternatives to regulation? Which institutions are involved in regulation? What have been the impacts of regulation? Readers will gain a clear understanding of the basic principles that apply to all regulated sectors, as well as the regulatory choices that reflect the specific economic and physical characteristics of different industries. Case studies demonstrate connections between regulatory theory and practice, and extensive references provide readers with resources for more in-depth study.

49 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Impact assessment (IAs) were introduced at the EU level under the rhetorical facade of 'better regulation' as mentioned in this paper, but the actual aim was to improve not only the quality but also the reputation of EU regulation before stakeholders.
Abstract: Impact Assessments (IAs) were introduced at the EU level under the rhetorical facade of ‘better regulation’. The actual aim was to improve not only the quality but also the reputation of EU regulation before stakeholders. However, evidence brought forward by a number of evaluations pointed out that IAs are yet to achieve acceptable quality standards. The paper offers an overview of different disciplinary approaches for looking at IAs. It suggests that risk regulation encompasses the theoretical foundations to help understand the role of IAs in the EU decision‐making process. The analysis of 60 early days preliminary IAs provides empirical evidence regarding policy alternatives, methodology of consultation and use of quantitative techniques. Findings suggest that dawn period IAs were used mainly to provide some empirical evidence for regulatory intervention in front of stakeholders. The paper concludes with assumptions about the future role of IAs at EU level.

40 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore the determinants of recent entry into local exchange service, and the role that regulatory policies have had in aiding this policy objective, finding that the 1996 Telecommunications Act did lead to some entry, but that strategic non-price behavior by incumbents may have offset this impact to some extent.
Abstract: In this paper, we explore the determinants of recent entry into local exchange service, and the role that regulatory policies have had in aiding this policy objective. Our results suggest that the 1996 Telecommunications Act did lead to some entry, but that strategic non-price behavior by incumbents may have offset this impact to some extent. We also find that regulatory policies and market fundamentals play an important role in determining entry. Clearly, market size (measured in various ways) is an important determinant of entry, while there is empirical support for the role of more flexible regulatory mechanisms in promoting new entry.

23 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Hmielowski et al. as discussed by the authors show that after 1996, TV news use contributes to increasing levels of affective polarization in the United States, with greater increases after 1996.
Abstract: Recent studies have shown evidence of increasing levels of attitude polarization in the United States. This study adds to this line of inquiry by examining whether important structural changes to the media system in 1996, which included the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the introduction of Fox News, affected TV news’ contribution to affective polarization. Using the American National Election Studies (ANES) cumulative data file, we test the media’s contribution to affective polarization before and after 1996 using spline regression. Our results show an increase in affective polarization over time, with greater increases after 1996. In addition, we show that after 1996, TV news use contributes to increasing levels of affective polarization in the United States. Scholars and pundits have voiced concern that the U.S. government has become increasingly inept at solving important problems. They point to Congress’ inability to tackle the unemployment crisis and climate change as evidence of Washington’s dysfunction. Gridlock appears to be the status quo, with tactics such as the filibuster becoming common in recent years (Smith & Park, 2013). Many researchers point to political polarization as the culprit, with evidence of increasing attitude polarization among party elites (Koger, 2010; McCarty, Poole, & Rosenthal, 2001), interest groups (Stonecash, Brewer, & Mariani, 2003), and activists (Hetherington, 2010; Layman, All correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Jay D. Hmielowski, PhD, Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, Washington State University, PO Box 642530 Pullman, WA 99164, USA. E-mail: jay.hmielowski@gmail.com International Journal of Public Opinion Research Advance Access published July 2, 2015

22 citations

Book
01 Jan 2001
TL;DR: The 1990s witnessed a major revolution in telecommunications policy in North America and Europe as discussed by the authors, and most countries began to realize that they could not compete in many markets without a vibrant, competitive telecommunications sector.
Abstract: The 1990s witnessed a major revolution in telecommunications policy in North America and Europe. The electronics revolution swept the world, and most countries began to realize that they could not compete in many markets without a vibrant, competitive telecommunications sector. As a result, the European Union, Canada, and the United States launched major new liberalization policies aimed at opening all telecommunications markets to competition. This report presents two views of the progress towards competition --one for North America and one for Europe. The authors provide an overview of the market structure on both continents prior to the 1990s, discuss significant regulatory changes during that decade, and analyze changes in rate structures and competition that have occurred since liberalization. They conclude with a look at the present and future impact of the Internet and other new technologies on the telecommunications industry.

14 citations