The Commission must consider whether these companies are willing to extend their telephone lines, offer lower prices and more opportunities to our nation s rural and inner-city areas. Displaced people must have the same access to telephone service as those living in affluent suburbs. That is the spirit of a true democracy. Thus, democratic values must guide your review of these mergers. On the other hand, consumers are concerned about lower prices.
Workers are concerned about the elimination of their jobs through downsizing and outsourcing.
And, the historically disadvantaged are concerned with inclusion, opportunity and access to information. We are here to promote inclusion. The FCC must enforce the law to ensure inclusion. There are numerous egregious examples of how the industry has been exclusive rather than inclusive. Historically, the Commission has been a co-conspirator in this practice of exclusion by awarding licenses to a select and small group of communications companies.