Telecom Act

Experts Call for Modernization, Rewrite of 1996 Telecom Act

Ahead of Thursday's hearing, witnesses point to opportunities to promote competition, broadband classification, and AI infrastructure.

Kelcie Lee

Mar 24, 2026 — 3 min read

Photo of former FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly, from Flickr.

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2026 – It is time for a rewrite of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, witnesses said in written testimony ahead of Thursday’s House hearing to review the law.

“Much of the current law has been diluted over time and in response to changing circumstances, allowing for the deregulation of those covered by it,” said former Federal Communications Commissioner Michael O’Rielly. “The so-called legacy communications industry should be relieved of burdens that no longer make any sense or deserve clarification.”

The Subcommittee on Communications and Technology will review the Telecom Act at the hearing after persistent calls for its modernization from lawmakers and experts.

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