The Telecommunications Act of 1996 has been an agent of tremendous change. New regulatory burdens, repeating cycles of litigation and few observable benefits to consumers have been its progeny. All of that is about to become history. An agile long-distance company with a ferocious appetite for new customers is prepared to defy Washington regulators. Technology and innovation have recreated telecommunications industries many times over.
Dramatic change is standard.
However, the regulatory process in which telecommunications providers must work is slow slow moving and slow to change. When innovation answers the call of competitive forces, regulation is left behind. Early this month, U S West announced a new strategic partner in Qwest Communications. Together, they will provide a wide variety of services. If consumers find this arrangement valuable, it will be a success in spite of regulation, not because of regulation.