Investing Internet Technology Windows Internet Tech. By Patricia Fusco Sen. John McCain , an Arizona Republican and chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation , this week introduced the Internet Regulatory Freedom Act of 1999. McCain believes that congressional assurances of no Internet regulation will help promote the development and deployment of advanced telecommunication services nationwide.
Advanced telecommunications is a critical component of our economic and social well-being.
Information technology now accounts for over one-third of our economic growth. But what it also means is that Americans who don't have access to high-speed Internet service won't enjoy these same advantages. According to McCain only 2 percent of all American homes are served by networks capable of providing high-speed data service and that of those U.S. homes, much of the broadband access is provided by cable services. If this situation is allowed to continue, many Americans who live in remote areas or who don't make a lot of money won't get high-speed Internet service anywhere near as fast as others will. McCain noted that local telephone company lines go to almost every home in America and that local telephone companies are ready and willing to upgrade existing copper lines to provide advanced high-speed data services.