FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dear Editor,
In 2006, Indiana adopted a telecommunications and video reform bill that experts have widely acclaimed as “the best legislation of its kind anywhere in the country.” Two years later, the bill continues to pour jobs, investment and next-generation technology into Indiana. The results have been impressive by any measure. A recent letter to the editor by an opponent of the law ignores the benefits, twisting the issue in an attempt to return to big government bureaucracy. Let’s look at the facts.
A recent Ball State report attributes 2,200 new jobs, $516 million in investment, new video competition, and expansion of high speed Internet services to 102 previously underserved rural communities to the passage of the bill.
In the year the bill was signed, Indiana experienced the largest increase in history of high speed Internet lines with nearly 664,000 new connections – a growth rate of 72 percent. For 2007, I believe Indiana will exceed 2 million connections, more than double what was in place in 2005 just prior to the bill’s passage. In addition, where competition has grown, prices have come down. In some areas where competition has resulted, high speed connections are available for $14.95 per month. That is less that what dial-up cost just a few short years ago.
That’s all good news. But, the story continues. Last month, Smithville – Indiana’s largest privately held telecom company — announced that it will invest $90 million to bring fiber broadband to 29,000 customers in 17 counties. On the same day, AT&T announced that 300,000 Hoosier families are now able to receive U-Verse, its Internet TV service.
Our reform movement has been a grand slam for Hoosiers. By updating our laws, we’ve provided consumers more choices, better value, faster Internet connections, thousands of new jobs and the kinds of technological advances rural communities need to compete in the global economy. Other policymakers have noticed our gains and similar legislation has followed Indiana’s lead in 20 states.
Baseball great Yogi Berra said, “it ain’t over till it’s over.” I think he’s right. The 2006 Indiana Telecom Reform Act has been a real home run, but I still think we have some more runs to put on the scoreboard for the home team.
Senator Brandt Hershman was the Senate author of HEA1279, the telecommunications deregulation act. He also serves as the Majority Whip of the Indiana Senate and chairs the Senate Utility and Regulatory Affairs Committee
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Hershman represents Senate District 7, which includes, Carroll, Clinton, Howard, Jasper, Tippecanoe and White counties.
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