For Immediate Release Washington, D.C. February 1, 1996 FCC COMMISSIONER RACHELLE CHONG HAILS PASSAGE OF NEW TELECOM BILL FCC Commissioner Rachelle B. Chong praised the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, commenting, "Today's headline is 'America enters a new Information Age.' Up to now, we've been regulating in a Star Trek era saddled with Gunsmoke style regulations." "This bill tears down outdated barriers to competition, and unleashes communications companies to offer exciting new services to Americans. It allows government to get out of the way," she explained. "Consumers can look forward to lower prices, more choices and innovative new services, such as tiny pagers, interactive video, and portable satellite telephones that can be used anywhere, anytime. Americans will have a new option of one stop shopping for all their communications needs." Commissioner Chong hailed the bipartisan support of the Telecommunications Act, saying, "Everyone who played a part in crafting this bill -- including Congress, the Administration, the industry, and consumers -- can be proud of this bipartisan achievement." -FCC-