FCC commissioner discusses telecom law

Although students, faculty and administrators alike have discussed how each could be affected by the recently passed telecommunications reform legislation, none will face the consequences as directly as Susan Ness. Ness, who sits on the Federal Communications Commission, spoke on the subject last week, emphasizing how the new law will greatly affect the regulatory board. Ness presented the speech, entitled "The New Telecommunications Marketplace: Radical Changes and Golden Opportunities," to an audience of approximately 70 people made up of faculty, graduate students and a few undergraduates in Steinberg-Dietrich Hall last Monday. "The new law isn't the end, or the beginning, of civilization as we know it," she said. "But for the communications world, it's as though we went from black and white television to color overnight." Ness came to the University as part of the Gruss Public Policy Forum Series, which brings four speakers to the campus annually. The forum was established through a $1 million gift from Wharton graduate Martin Gruss, who is also a member of the school's Board of Overseers. According to Public Policy and Management Chairperson Janet Rothenberg Pack, who also serves as the forum's director, the program's goal is to bring "interesting people who are working on hot policy issues" and are "centrally involved in major public policy issues of the day." With the "revolution of communication" that is occurring, Pack said Ness certainly fits this description. Ness is one of three designated FCC commissioners on the Federal-State Joint Board, which is charged with addressing universal telephone service issues. She also received a degree from the Wharton School's graduate division in 1983. Ness said she originally intended to speak on a different topic, because when the speech was planned, the legislation was still up in the air. But her subject changed because "[the legislation] has landed." "And for the first time in 60 years, Congress completely overhauled our nation's communications laws," she added. She explained that the legislation's main goal is simply to "increase competition and reduce regulation." "The new law allows for enormous change and opportunities for diversification in the industry," Ness added. "The walls have crumbled." But Ness also stated that the law itself is not the whole story. "Whether this law achieves its laudable goals will be determined to a great extent by the work of the FCC," she said. "I expect that many in this audience will play a role in the new telecommunications marketplace. "Some of you will help to build it or to shape it," she added. "All of you will be affected by it." The speech was followed by a question-and-answer session and an informal reception. Wharton junior David Chalom said he was impressed, especially because the "timing of the speech was impeccable." First-year Wharton graduate student Greg Mand said he thought Ness' speech was excellent and "very insightful." Pack added that Ness "covered all of the major issues" raised by the new legislation.