Telecom modifications get Quinn's signature

[June 17, 2010]  SPRINGFIELD -- For the last 25 years, the state's telecommunications regulations have remained nearly unchanged, while new technologies like cell phones and wireless routers have boomed.

But on Tuesday, Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law a new plan that would loosen the regulations on telecommunication companies and open the way for new investment in wireless and cellular technologies. The new law took effect upon Quinn's approval.

Telecommunication companies like AT&T had advocated for modernizing regulations and claimed that Illinois was losing out on business and investment to other states.

Quinn hailed the new law as an opportunity for the state to bridge the technological gap.

"We in Illinois, if we're going to be prosperous, need to make sure that we have a modern, up-to-date, well-connected telecommunications system. That includes broadband deployment and wireless technologies that are state-of-the-art," Quinn said.

The Citizens Utility Board, a nonprofit focused on consumer protection, had previously expressed concerns that if regulations were loosened, AT&T and others would neglect consumers who relied on landline technology.

CUB spokesman Jim Chilsen said the new law does keep consumer choice plans that will give landline users the option to keep affordable services.

"A major focus of CUB was to make sure that those consumer choice plans were protected. An earlier version of this bill would have set the stage for those plans being eliminated in three years, and under this proposal, the rate freeze is extended and those plans get new life," he said.

State Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, said the new law struck a good balance between business and consumer interests.

"We are handcuffing AT&T a little bit by forcing them to provide these landlines at a time when they're losing a great deal of business in the landline business. But we just felt that (the package of landline plans) was so important," he said.

Landline pricing plans under the new law would stay this way until 2013, when lawmakers would reconsider the plans.

[Illinois Statehouse News; By KEVIN LEE]