Verizon Statement on President's Signing of 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act

WASHINGTON – October 8, 2010 –

President Obama, at a White House ceremony on Friday (Oct. 8), signed legislation to improve access to video, Internet and wireless communications for Americans with disabilities.  Approved by Congress last month, the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 updates the disability access provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.  The following statement should be attributed to Kathryn Brown, Verizon senior vice president of public policy development and corporate responsibility, who attended the White House signing ceremony:

"It was moving to see President Obama sign this important legislation into law.  This is the result of the hard work and dedication of disability advocates represented by the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology, which understands the value that 21st century technologies play in people's lives.  This law will ensure that millions of Americans with disabilities have greater access to new broadband services and technologies.  We appreciate the president's leadership and the important work that was done in Congress to get the job done right.  Verizon is pleased to have played a role in the process, working with lawmakers, other companies and affected stakeholders."

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Verizon Statement on Federal Communications Commission Order on Data Roaming

WASHINGTON – April 7, 2011 –

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday (April 7) approved an order that requires wireless carriers that invest in building networks to agree to carry the traffic of carriers that do not make these investments, at prices set by the FCC. The following statement should be attributed to Tom Tauke, Verizon executive vice president of public affairs, policy and communications:

"The U.S. wireless communications marketplace is one of the most dynamic, competitive and innovative in the world.  Consumers have many choices in wireless products and services and expect that these services will be available wherever they go.  To meet these customer expectations, Verizon has entered into 40 data-roaming agreements with our competitors - big, small, urban and rural.  We have also formed an industry-leading spectrum-sharing partnership with rural carriers to expand the reach of 4G services in rural areas.

"Today's action represents a new level of unwarranted government intervention in the wireless marketplace.  By forcing carriers that have invested in wireless infrastructure to make those networks available to competitors that avoid this investment, at a price ultimately determined by the FCC, today's order discourages network investment in less profitable areas.  That is directly contrary to the interests of rural America and the development of facilities-based competition and potential job creation.   Therefore, it is a defeat for both consumers and the innovation fostered by true competition.

"We are also concerned that the FCC is taking this action even though it does not have the statutory authority to do so.  Consumers benefit from the deployment of wireless networks that have more capacity to offer new services, and Verizon is committed to working with policymakers to accomplish that goal."

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