Mark Holtz
08-03-04, 09:05 PM
This is a reply from Senator George Allen of Virginia. It's a lot better than Barbara BoXer's boilerplate response.
Dear Mark:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the reauthorization of the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act (SHVIA). I appreciate your concerns and value the opportunity to respond.
According to the Federal Communications Commission, there are over 107 million American homes that are considered television households. Of those television households, over 16 million use direct broadcast satellite (DBS) as their primary source of receiving television signals. In 1999, Congress passed SHVIA which extended and expanded the previous provisions of the 1988 Satellite Home Viewer Act (SHVA). The goal of SHVIA was to ensure that as many households as possible could have access to local programming and allow consumers more choices in television programming and service providers.
As you may be aware, SHVIA is set to expire on December 31, 2004. I am fully aware of the importance of DBS services for television consumers, especially those consumers located in rural and small market areas who rely on such services. I believe it is the role of government to promote, protect and preserve competition within our economy in order to ensure continued success especially within the telecommunications industry.
While I am a strong advocate for market-based approaches, I do believe it is important that current government policy accurately reflects current technology. Among the key issues surrounding SHVIA, the definitional issue of “digital white areas” and the service issue of the “must carry” provision are two areas of concern and considerable confusion. I support the reauthorization of SHVIA and I will continue to work diligently to ensure that the interests of both rural and urban communities are best served while preserving a fair and consumer-friendly market.
Once again, I appreciate you alerting me to this matter and please do not hesitate to contact me again about issues important to you. If you would like to receive an e-mail newsletter about my initiatives to improve America, please sign up on my website (<http://allen.senate.gov>). It is an honor to serve you in the United States Senate, and I look forward to working with you to make Virginia and America a better place to live, learn, work and raise a family.
Sincerely,
Senator George Allen
Dear Mark:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the reauthorization of the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act (SHVIA). I appreciate your concerns and value the opportunity to respond.
According to the Federal Communications Commission, there are over 107 million American homes that are considered television households. Of those television households, over 16 million use direct broadcast satellite (DBS) as their primary source of receiving television signals. In 1999, Congress passed SHVIA which extended and expanded the previous provisions of the 1988 Satellite Home Viewer Act (SHVA). The goal of SHVIA was to ensure that as many households as possible could have access to local programming and allow consumers more choices in television programming and service providers.
As you may be aware, SHVIA is set to expire on December 31, 2004. I am fully aware of the importance of DBS services for television consumers, especially those consumers located in rural and small market areas who rely on such services. I believe it is the role of government to promote, protect and preserve competition within our economy in order to ensure continued success especially within the telecommunications industry.
While I am a strong advocate for market-based approaches, I do believe it is important that current government policy accurately reflects current technology. Among the key issues surrounding SHVIA, the definitional issue of “digital white areas” and the service issue of the “must carry” provision are two areas of concern and considerable confusion. I support the reauthorization of SHVIA and I will continue to work diligently to ensure that the interests of both rural and urban communities are best served while preserving a fair and consumer-friendly market.
Once again, I appreciate you alerting me to this matter and please do not hesitate to contact me again about issues important to you. If you would like to receive an e-mail newsletter about my initiatives to improve America, please sign up on my website (<http://allen.senate.gov>). It is an honor to serve you in the United States Senate, and I look forward to working with you to make Virginia and America a better place to live, learn, work and raise a family.
Sincerely,
Senator George Allen