State & Regional Interest	Monday, March 10, 2003
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Bill keeps state from regulating high speed internet services (Published March 6‚ 2003) COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The House gave final approval Thursday to a bill that defines high speed internet services and keeps the state from regulating it. The so-called "broadband bill" drew full-page ads in newspapers from groups opposed to the BellSouth-backed legislation. BellSouth competitors opposed the bill now headed to Gov. Mark Sanford's desk. "Instead of trying to give BellSouth more power over consumers, the Legislature should be looking for ways to ensure that the current monopoly control doesn't result in overcharges and shoddy service," said Peter Arnold, a spokesman for Voices for Choices, a group includes WorldCom, AT&T and the Competitive Telecommunications Association. State Public Service Commission Director Gary Walsh says the bill changes little in state law, but it does keep the agency out of regulating broadband services. The agency has never regulated that service, Walsh said.

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