NAD Working on Broadband Bill

Editor: We have frequently expressed our concerns that new technology is allowing previously regulated services to be replaced by unregulated services. An example is videos on the internet. Even if they are clips of captioned TV programs, there is no requirement that the Internet version retain the captions. Here's a summary of these issues from the NAD, and a report on what they're doing about it!

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The NAD is working hard to pass a law in Congress on broadband. Broadband is high speed Internet. There are many things that we are trying to accomplish that will affect internet access, relay access and video captioning access. We need your support.

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 was written almost 10 years ago. It is out-of-date. That is why Congress needs to re-write it in 2006. The U.S. House of Representatives has already started. its Energy and Commerce Committee aims to have a bill by December. The Senate is moving more slowly -and needs to be told to get going.

What we need right now is public support for key issues in the draft of the bill that will make telecommunications more accessible.

Ask Yourself these Questions...

Do you use e-mail? The current law doesn't discuss email. Most people started using email in 1997 or 1998, after the 1996 law.

Do you use Instant Messaging (IM)? Most people started using IM in 2002 or 2003. (It is true - it seems as if it's been around forever, but it has not!)

Do you use a webcam, a video camera, or a video phone to sign to other people? That is not covered in the law (again, no one was doing it in 1995).

Do you use your computer for relay calls? The law as revised in 1996 expected you to be using a TTY.

Do you use Video Relay? That is not covered under the outdated law.

Do you watch any streaming video - like a video on your computer? Or a short version from a TV show? Some people even get short videos on their cell phones. None of this is captioned. That is perfectly legal now.

Do you feel as if you are paying enough, or even too much, for your service? Universal service is the key to keeping costs down. Legislation is needed to protect and preserve universal service, especially in rural areas.

Do you want a law to change all that? We have proposed some changes. The House of Representatives seems to indicate that they will support our proposal. The House draft would:
- require that video be captioned. It would say that the same rules that now apply to broadcast and cable-cast programming apply to video streaming.
- outlaw "locking you in" and otherwise preventing interoperability of video relay.
- require companies, as they design new products and services, to take steps to make sure they are accessible. This includes all kinds of communication services, including video, email and IM. So we won't face a future where e-mail "talks" to us instead of showing us text.

Here is How You Can Help! It is Easy!

You need to tell your Senators and Representatives that our proposal is important and must be supported. It will only take two minutes of your time but is very important to your access to technology.