Christine lagarde speaking at the National Press club. Ago the first pie in years crossed the oceans to a new world. A promise of a land where a man house, builts own his own children in freedom. In one of the great River Valleys of america, something went wrong. Centuries later, the descendents of the pioneers were neglected people. Living in a real and land. This was one of the early new deal projects. It is a concept that have been under consideration for some years before Franklin Roosevelt became president. The cirencester was looking to help improve the quality of life in the Tennessee River ballet to from control, generate electrical power and improve the lives of the People Living here. Is one of the poorest regions in this country. It is a serious attempt at areas. G the social this weekend, and look at the history and literary life of chattanooga tennessee, today at me. A panel of four rural fcc chairman talk about the impact of last tuesdays court ruling. Before theed commerce subcommittee looking at the 1930 42 indications active that was last revised in 1996. We will get going with our area. I will call the communications and think our witnesses for being here. This is the first of what will be many hearings. These are equal to the communication and Technology Sector it comes to innovation and investment in the american economy. Innovation, investment in the american economy, and job creation. In these tough economic times, we as policymakers should be committed to fostering this critical sector of the economy. Yet the laws that regulate the industry are outdated at best and some are affirmatively damaging. This is why chairman upton and i, along with members of this subcommittee, have decided to undertake the difficult task of updating the Communications Act of 1934. In the eight decades since its passage, congresses have come and gone. Some have even made substantial though targeted changes to the law. But none have undertaken to rethink the act for the environment of convergence and innovation in which we live today. Its time for our laws to reflect our modern technological landscape, one grounded in the networks and services of our past, and driven by our ip and mobile future. Just yesterday the d. C. Circuit issued its decision in the Net Neutrality case. Striking down the rules, ordered by the federal Communications Commission. I, for one, was pleased to see the court remove the government from the business of making management judgments and give providers the freedom to make decisions that are procompetitive and proconsumer. While this decision benefits consumers and providers alike by keepings internet free from government interference, the rationale highlights the ongoing confusion regarding regulation of different services. This is yet another example of why its vital that we take a hard look at the laws in this space and reconcile them with the realities of technology. The answer is not to subject new technology to outdated regulations, but rather to craft laws appropriate to Innovative Services and platforms. As we embark on this effort it should come as no surprise that im focused on ensuring that we engage in a transparent and collaborative process, our colleagues here in the congress but also with the many stake holders outside in these halls. What we want is a dialogue. Last week the committee released the first of what will be a series of white papers seeking input from the public. And i hope that interested parties will take the opportunity to make their voices heard to us. Todays witnesses provide a unique and valuable perspective on the Communications Act. As chairman of the agency tasked with carrying out congress will, and implementing the act, the four Witnesses Today have had a front row seat to witness the act in the real world, to see where it works, and where it doesnt. These chairmen of varied experiences and viewpoints, that in many ways represent the evolution of modern communications. When chairman wiley led the agency, Telephone Service was a government regulated monopoly. Consumers got their news from broadcast television and print newspapers, and the internet was still years away. 16 years later, when reed hundt took the reins the internet was coming into full force and mobility was beginning to take off. Chairman powells tenure saw the convergence of services towards the bundled offerings we see today, as well as the deployment of broadband to americans. And in the four years since Michael Copps served as academic chairman there have been dramatic changes to the way we communicate and the technology that powers our lives. For example the title of todays hearing contains a hash tag. Twit per, then with no vowels in its name, had yet to be discovered by south by southwest. Neither we nor the august panel before us can predict the future and what technological changes it will bring. But by learning the lessons of the past, we can do our best to create a legal and Regulatory Environment that will foster innovation, and competition, encourage Consumer Choice, and optimum services. So again i want to thank you for to our witnesses for this impressive panel. We look forward to hearing your testimony. And we appreciate your Public Service. With that i would yield to the vice chair of the subcommittee mr. Latta for any opening comments. Thank you very much, mr. Chairman. And thank you very much to our panel of distinguished witnesses for testifying for us today. I appreciate you all being here. Since 1966, we have witnessed an unprecedented technological evolution in the communications industry. The rapid emergence of new and Innovative Technologies has fostered to increase investment throughout the industry in the development of a vibrant, competitive Communications Marketplace. As we move into the future it is important to examine the Communications Act to ensure that our Public Policy continues to encourage this kind of growth and innovation that is essential to fuelling our economy. Reforms to current law should reflect the technology we enjoy today and be able to adopt to the technology of tomorrow, without further Government Intervention. Our efforts should be dedicated to ensure that the laws governing the Communications Marketplace do not stifle current and future investment, innovation, economic growth, and Consumer Choice in this dynamic and converging digital age of communications. I look forward to the testimony from our Witnesses Today, and again mr. Chairman i thank you very much for holding this hearing. Thank the gentleman for his comments. Now turn to the gentle lady from california, the Ranking Member of the subcommittee for her opening comments. Thank you mr. Chairman and good morning to you. To all of the members, and the warmest welcome to each of the witnesses that are at the table. Your combined Public Service is really stands as a hallmark of devoted service to our country. But also, to move the country forward in one of its most important economic sectors. So welcome to you, its wonderful to see all of you at the same time, at the table. With news of the courts Net Neutrality decision todays hearing i think is a timely opportunity to hear from each one of you who have led the Expert Agency, the fcc, and combined it represents over four decades of service. That is nothing short of extraordinary. And each of you have had a hand in really, i think, changing our Nations Communications and technology landscape. So not only kudos to you, thank you to you, but a recognition of what each one of you accomplished. When Congress Passed the teleCommunications Act of 1996 it was my second term in congress. My first term on the committee, and there were just 11 references to the internet. The word internet, and only one mention of broadband across 128page bill. Many proponents of updating the act have cited this as evidence that the act is outdated. And unable to keep up with changes in technology. But as chairman wheeler affirmed last week, the Communications Act continues to provide the fcc with ample authority to exercise its role in this new environment. The courts decision yesterday, i believe, furthers this argument by upholding the fccs existing authority to yoefsh see broadband services. And i think thats very important for consumers across the country. I make these points not to discourage the subcommittees review of the act. I join with the chairman to review this. I think thats its a worthy exercise. But rather we need to ensure that we know what problems were trying to fix before undertaking a multiyear examination that include hearings, stakeholder meetings, white papers, and the such. Since the 96 act was enacted hundreds of new entrants have emerged, and more than 1. 2 trillion dollars has been invested by u. S. Telecommunications companies. I want this Success Story to be an unending one. And i think that is the goal of everyone on this wonderful subcommittee. So to that end, my goal throughout the subcommittees review will be to see more competition, greater Consumer Choice, and more innovation. I am so proud, as the chairman was making his opening remarks, that so much of this has been born in my Congressional District. And so innovation, innovation, innovation. And these goals were embedded in the 96 act, and they remain just as important today. At the same time, our process of examining the Communications Act should not derail, in my view, a more immediate update of our video laws, a view shared by a majority of the witnesses at a september subcommittee hearing. Recurring tv blackouts, coupled with the rising cost of broadcast television programming, with limited choice, has left consumers frustrated, and looking to congress, and the fcc, for answers. I believe that working together at a bipartisan basis we can make this happen in 2014. So, chairman walden, thank you for holding todays hearing on the Communications Act. I welcome the review, and i look forward to hearing the unique insights from the top experts from our country who have given so much in terms of their leadership in leading the Expert Agency. And with that 34 seconds to yield to congresswoman matsui. Thank you Ranking Member. I want to welcome all the former chairmen. We welcome you here for your ideas and your experience to provide basis for discussions moving forward. As Technology Evolves i believe its important that we consider appropriate updates to the Communications Act that with goals to promote competition and innovation in the marketplace. To that point, i am pleased that yesterday, the d. C. Circuit affirmed the fccs authority to oversee broadband services. In my opinion that was a crux of the debate. And the fccs argument prevailed on the question of authority over broadband. The fcc will need to exert its authority to ensure now that all americans have access to a free and open internet. A competitive marketplace with checks and balances will fare well for all americans. I look forward to the hearing today, and i yield back the balance of my time. Gentle lady yields back the balance of her time. Chair now recognizes the distinguished member from michigan, mr. Upton, for opening comments. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Last month you and i announced our plans for a comprehensive update to the Communications Act of 1934. The changes in Technology Since the last update in 96 have been dramatic and existing laws have failed to keep pace with the vibrant and dynamic telecommunication industry. Communications and Technology Sectors have consistently been areas of American Leadership, innovation, and job creation certainly, but the Communications Act is showing its age in our continued International Leadership is indeed at stake. Yesterdays Net Neutrality decision, while a victory for consumers in the economy, illustrates the uncertainty flowing from the current statutory scheme and the need for this action. Its time to revamp these laws, to reflect the new Competitive Landscape and changing consumer expectations. And as we begin the open process leading to acom act update we are looking for input, yes we are, from all of the stake holders in the communications and technology world. Where better to start than with our distinguished panel of former leaders of the fcc . These leaders served during diverse times in the evolution on the communications sector, and theyve seen the market operate under the strong hand of the u. S. Government, and the challenges with them divorcing the government from its heavy regulation of the communication section of times of oer. Theyve seen Satellite Services succeed in bringing competition to the video market. And failed to find success as a competitor to mobile phone service. And theyve seen the internet grow from a d. O. D. Project to a tool for research universities, and now, as the commercial Economic Force that we know today. Throughout the many nuanced it rations of the Communications Act, todays witnesses have firsthand seen the act at its finest, and also in its inability to keep pace with technological innovation as impacted those vital economic issues. So i want to thank the witnesses for taking their time to share their experiences with us, we value, indeed, their expertise and welcome their thoughts on how we can ensure the Communications Act fosters our communications and Technology Sectors well into this century. And i yield the balance of my time to vice chair. Thank you, mr. Chairman. And if i had my iphone in my hand, i would hit retweet. For everything that he has just said. We do appreciate that you all are here. We do want to take advantage of the perspective that you have had, think about what has happened in the past 17 years, since 96. And the changes that we have seen, not only in how we communicate, but the rapidity of those communications, and entertainment, and how we access that, how we take it with us, how we consume it, so we know that the pace of change means that we have to be very judicious and careful, as we look at a rewrite. We know that there are issues that are going to come on the plate that were going to have to discuss, also. As we look at not only the telecom rewrite but at the use of the virtual space, privacy, Data Security, the way the virtual marketplace is used, and the way our constituents want to have a tool box to protect, as i call it, their virtual you online. So, we appreciate your time, your willingness to be with us this morning, and i yield back to the chair of the committee. Yield back. Gentleman from texas mr. Barton want to use some of that time . Thank you mr. Chairman. Ive served on this committee since 1986. Ive served with three of the four former chairman, mr. Wiley preceded me. Weve had some agreements, weve had some disagreements. So its good to have all four of you gentlemen here today. When i was chairman of the full committee, back in 1996, my commutety introduced a bill we call the coke bill, the communication opportunity promotion enhancement act of 2006. It dealt with national franchising, Net Neutrality, public educational and governmental access, e911 and what we now call void. It passed the house 321101, but it didnt come up for a vote in the senate. I voted for the teleCommunications Act of 96, and the cable act of 92, and i hope this year to get to vote for another major bill that comes from the leadership of mr. Upton, mr. Walden, mr. Waxman and miss eshoo. This is a good thing to be doing and were going to get some good information from your gentlemen and we appreciate you being here. Gentlemans times expired. Well now go to the former chairman of the committee, mr. Waxman, for opening comments. Thank you very much, mr. Chairman. I appreciate your convening this mornings hearing, and launching the subcommittees examination of potential updates to the Communications Act. And i want to thank our distinguished panel for being here to help us think through these ideas, and i think ive been in congress during the time that all of you have been the heads of the fcc. Technology has changed at a blistering pace since the enactment of the 1996 teleCommunications Act 18 years ago. The communications and Technology Industries are a thriving sector of our economy. As broadband plays an increasingly central role in the daily life of our nati