Communications, Consumer's Choice, and Broadband Deployment Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-2686
Sponsor: Sen. Stevens, Ted [R-AK]
Introduced: 2006-05-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Armed forces abroad
Arts, Culture, Religion
Auditing
Blind
Block grants
Broadband
Child pornography
Commerce
Communication satellites
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Consumer education
Consumer protection
Cost control
Crime and Law Enforcement
Disabled
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Educational technology
Educational television
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency Management
Emergency communication systems
Families
Federal Communications Commission
Fees
Finance and Financial Sector
Fraud
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Grants-in-aid
Housing and Community Development
Independent regulatory commissions
Internet
Iraq compilation
Law
Libraries
Licenses
Military operations
Military training
Minorities
Native Americans
Off-budget expenditures
Performance measurement
Public broadcasting
Public meetings
Radio broadcasting
Sports and Recreation
Standards
Surveys
Telecommunication industry
Telecommunication rates
Telephone
Television
Television broadcasting
Television broadcasting of sports
Television frequency allocation
Television relay systems
Wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-01
text: 
Communications, Consumer's Choice, and Broadband Deployment Act of 2006 - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reduce the cost of calling home for U.S. military personnel stationed outside the United States in support of military operations, training exercises, or other approved purposes.
 
Amends the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 to direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to allocate a portion of the funds available under such Act for: (1) making interoperable communications system equipment grants for equipment that can utilize reallocated public safety spectrum; and (2) establishing and implementing a strategic technology reserves initiative.
 
Internet and Universal Service Act of 2006 - Requires each communications service provider to contribute to support universal service (the provision of communications service in rural, insular, and high-cost areas). Outlines requirements for distribution of universal service support to eligible communications carriers. Establishes a Broadband for Unserved Areas Account.
 
Video Competition and Savings for Consumers Act of 2006 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide regulatory and franchising requirements for video services and video service providers similar to those currently applicable to cable communications operators. Requires the provision of channels for public, educational, and governmental use. Prohibits the denial of video service access because of income, race, or religion.
 
Video Content Act - Sports Freedom Act of 2006 - Prohibits multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) from engaging in unfair or deceptive acts or practices to hinder or prevent other MVPDs from providing such programming or satellite broadcast programming to consumers.
 
Digital Content Protection Act of 2006 - Directs the FCC to implement its Report and Order in the matters of: (1) Digital Broadcast Content Protection; and (2) Digital Output Protection Technology and Recording Method Certifications. Authorizes the FCC to promulgate regulations governing the indiscriminate redistribution of audio content with respect to digital and satellite radio broadcasts. Requires the FCC to establish the Digital Audio Review Board.
 
Community Broadband Act - Amends the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to prohibit any state or local government statute, regulation, or other legal requirement from prohibiting any public provider from providing, to any person or any public or private entity, advanced communications capability or any service that utilizes the advanced communications capability provided by such provider. Provides safeguards, including that a public provider may not provide advanced communications capability to the public unless the provision of such capability by that public provider is subject to the same laws and regulations that would apply if the advanced communications capability were being provided by a nongovernmental entity.
 
Wireless Innovation Act of 2006 or WIN Act of 2006 - Makes eligible television spectrum available for wireless use.
 
Outlines consumer education requirements for analog television receivers, as well as requirements to reduce the government cost of the converter box program.
 
Outlines requirements for: (1) the protection of children with respect to the video transmission of child pornography; and (2) the free flow of information over the Internet.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-06-13
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 109-1128, pt. 3.
action_date: 2006-05-25
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 109-1128, pt. 2.
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 109-1128, pt. 1.
action_date: 2006-05-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2006-05-01
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3803-3804)
action_date: 2006-05-01
text: Introduced in Senate