Document text
Telecom bill returns to Legislature Would affect Ashland Fiber Network operations By TONY BOOM ASHLAND � A battle that pits privately owned telecommunications companies against municipal operations like this town�s fiber network begins again in April as supporters bring back an amended bill to the Legislature. House Bill 2680 would require local governments to tally all costs their telecommunication services incur and include them in customer bills. The measure was pulled from the House floor on March 7 when it appeared the bill wouldn�t get enough votes. While aimed at municipal operations like the Ashland Fiber Network, the bill raised concerns with 911 emergency communication systems, libraries and others that could affect their operations. Proponents of high-speed communication links also oppose the bill. Supporters say it creates a level playing field between private and government-run operations. "We had amendments drafted to deal with concerns that various parties had," said Mike Dewey, executive director of the Oregon Cable Telecommunication Association. "What we did basically narrowed the bill ... to have it only affect cities and entities created by cities." Dewey said libraries, port districts and Internet service providers thought they were subject to HB 2680, but they aren�t now. A hearing on the bill�s amendments is scheduled April 11 before the House Committee on Smart Growth and Commerce. Most of the cable television operators in the state belong to OCTA, a primary supporter of the bill. Qwest and Verizon are also supporting the effort. "The coalition that has formed in opposition to the bill remains opposed. We don�t feel the amendments as we saw them change our opposition," said Tom O�Connor, director of Oregon Municipal Electric Utilities. Coalition members include the utilities, the League of Oregon Cities, the Association of Oregon Counties, Oregon Rural Electric Co-op Association, the City of Portland and telecommunication consortiums in Eastern and Southern Oregon. "We need to be looking at encouraging the expansion of adequate telecommunication," said O�Connor. "We ought not to be throwing up obstacles." Existing federal and state regulations are adequate, says O�Connor. Federal regulations prohibit local government from discriminating in telecommunication actions. Both public and private organizations have to get state Public Utility Commission certification to provide services. "I�m really concerned about (the bill) making it harder for small and rural communities to get high-speed connections," said District 52 Rep. Alan Bates, who represents Ashland and the upper Rogue River area. "Some of the bigger cities have problems because they would be impacted. I don�t know if the amendments could deal with all those problems." Bates, a Democrat, said the measure seems strange coming from the Republican side since it would create more government regulation. Ashland is the only Oregon city that offers telecommunication services. AFN provides cable TV services and high-speed Internet connections. Eugene Water and Electric Board and the Springfield Utility Board have obtained certificates to allow communication services. Eugene may offer data-transfer service to organizations and businesses. Springfield has leased capacity in its fiber network to a private, point-to-point data operation. Among the bill�s mandates is a requirement for municipal utilities to project costs out over three years. Discrimination is not allowed against private providers. All expenses must be accounted for and services cannot be offered below cost. An Ashland official says many of the bill�s concerns are already addressed by the city operation. "It�s a separate enterprise. Everything is accounted for," said Dick Wanderscheid, director of administrative services. "If electric crews work on AFN, they put it on their time sheets. The utility (cost) is billed to AFN." Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.