The Communications, Opportunity, Protection, and Enhancement (COPE) Act, H.R. 5252, of 2006 brings choice and competition to TV and Internet services.  This important bi-partisan legislation provides American consumers with lower prices, better service, and real competition.  By removing barriers to competition, the COPE Act will enable more companies to offer competitive TV service in more places, which will deliver bigger savings to consumers. 

In addition to increasing competition for cable services, the COPE Act will result in faster internet connections and new services for consumers.  This bill gives the FCC explicit authority to enforce network neutrality while allowing broadband providers to deliver quicker and more efficient services.  An important note is that this bill will allow the FCC to impose fines of $500,000 for each violation that blocks or corrupts content.

In addition to voting in favor of this important bill, I also voted in favor of an amendment that preserves the right of the FCC to require Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers to contribute to the Universal Service Fund and pay appropriate inter-carrier compensation fees.  Such an amendment is crucial for rural Alaskans who depend on the Universal Service Fund to promote the availability of quality services at just, reasonable, and affordable rates and increase access to advanced telecommunications services.