The Telecommunications Act of 1996 fundamentally changes telecommunications regulation. It is a major revision of the Communications Act of 1934. It modifies the laws governing how the communication industries are regulated, creating a national framework designed to increase the advancement of telecommunications and information technologies and services to all Americans by opening all telecommunications markets to competition.

The industries directly affected by the law include: over-the-air television and radio stations, cable television operators, satellite broadcasters, wire line telephone compan

The break-up of AT&T was a wrenching experience for virtually all persons employed in the Bell System. It was a shock to the industry experts. It has been a mixed blessing to customers, providing lower long-distance rates but at the same time generating new or higher charges in the other areas. Service quality meanwhile runs the gamut from top-notch to questionable.

Sec. 302. Cable service provided by telephone companies; Sec. 651. Regulatory treatment of video programming services; Sec. 652. Prohibition on buy outs; Sec. 653. Establishment of open video systems; Sec. 303. Preemption of franchising authority regulation of telecommunications services. Sec. 304. Competitive availability of navigation devices; Sec. 629. Competitive availability of navigation devices; Sec. 305. Video programming accessibility; Sec. 713. Video programming accessibility; Sec. 401. Regulatory forbearance; Sec. 10. Competition in provision of telecommunications service; Sec. 402. Biennial review of regulations, regulatory relief; Sec. 11. Regulatory reform; Sec. 403. Elimination of unnecessary Commission regulations and functions; Sec. 501. Short title; Sec. 502. Obscene or harassing use of telecommunications facilities under the Communications Act of 1934; Sec. 503. Obscene programming on cable television; Sec. 504. Scrambling of cable channels for nonsubscribers; Sec. 640. Scrambling of cable channels for nonsubscribers; Sec. 505. Scrambling of sexually explicit adult video service programming; Sec. 641. Scrambling of sexually explicit adult video service programming; Sec. 506. Cable operator refusal to carry certain programs; Sec. 507. Clarification of current laws regarding communication of obscene materials through the use of computers; Sec. 508. Coercion and enticement of minors; Sec. 509. Online family empowerment; Sec. 230. Protection for private blocking and screening of offensive material; Sec. 551. Parental choice in television programming; Sec. 552. Technology fund; Sec. 561. Expedited review; Sec. 601. Applicability of consent decrees and other law; Sec. 602. Preemption of local taxation with respect to direct-to-home services; Sec. 701. Prevention of unfair billing practices for information or services provided

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